“’At’s right.”

I’m pretty sure it was just after I became Master’s apprentice.

I was six years old and Ginko was four (I didn’t call her Big Sis yet) when he took the two of us out on a day trip.

Part of it was because I’d just left Yamaoka in Fukui Prefecture for the first time, so I remember everything flying past the windows being so new and exciting as I sat next to Ginko in the back seat while Master drove.

…… But, being from Kansai in the first place, Ginko wasn’t interested in the scenery at all. Instead, she demanded that I play Shogi with her.

She became Master’s apprentice two weeks before me, meaning I had to do whatever she said. I wanted to play Shogi too, so I followed her orders right away.

In the end, we played on that collapsible magnetic Shogi board that Ginko always carried around with her in the back seat the whole way. We just use our mental Shogi boards nowadays, but we couldn’t play a game without an actual board and pieces back then.

I think it was at about the time we finished our fifth match that the car came to a stop and Master said, “Here we are.”

As for where we were …… It smelled strange. A girl a bit older than us was waiting to show us around. She was strange too, always swinging a toy sword around.

That’s when Master told us something even stranger yet.

About the Shogi gods.

“In this world, ya ain’t goin’ any higher if the Shogi gods don’t like ya.”

“We can’t get strong?”

“Nah, ya can get plenty strong. But if the Shogi gods got somethin’ against ya, ya never gonna turn pro. Certainly never be the Meijin.”

“We can get really strong, but never be a pro ……?”

Hearing that made me shiver in fear.

Because, I mean, I wanted to be just like Master.

I came to Osaka because I wanted to be a pro Shogi player.

Which is why, when I heard that these mystifying Shogi “gods” could stop me, it was scary.

I knew how to get better, how to get stronger.

Play lots of Shogi and try really hard.

But ……

“What do I need to do to make the Shogi gods like me?!”

I desperately pleaded, pulling on Master’s pant leg and begging for an answer.

He gently patted me on my head as I shook and told me several ways that I could gain the Shogi gods’ favor.

Listening to him, all the anxiety and worry started to melt away.

But, Ginko had other ideas.

“…… There are no gods.”

Ginko was (and pretty much still is) the type of person who won’t accept what someone says as is.

She seriously looked like an angel. I didn’t think she was human the first time I saw her, more like a fairy or spirit right out of a storybook. Whatever she was, I believed she was something beyond human with all my heart. (The fact that she would always watch me from a distance without saying a word only made it seem even more likely.)

–––Pros have Shogi fairies living in their houses!

Seeing Ginko for the first time only made my respect for pro Shogi players grow even more. Wow! Pros are amazing–––! That kind of thing.

So, it was very easy for me to believe in the existence of Shogi gods. Ginko on the other hand, despite looking like a being from another plane herself, rejected them outright.

She was pretty much a crystallized miracle, but she didn’t even try to believe in gods or miracles herself. As a result, zombies and ghosts scared her more than most people (and still do).

“No gods at all.” Ginko said defiantly.

Master didn’t get mad at her. Instead, he said, “They’re ‘round. Gods are here all right. They’re lookin’ after ya and Yaichi right now.”

“Then, where are the Shogi gods?” Ginko said, getting even more insistent. “I’ll never believe you if you don’t tell me!”

She looked up at Master, silently challenging him with a look in her eyes as she clutched that plastic Shogi board to her chest.

I hadn’t known her long, but I had already figured out that pose meant Ginko would never change her mind.

So I was anxious to see what would happen next–––.

Master flashed a big grin and put his hand down.

“They’re here.”

Showing her exactly where the Shogi gods lived.

“And here.”

We saw a Shogi god appear right before our eyes.

Ginko and I believed from that day on.

Believed that the Shogi gods are real.

Taking a seat in the exam room, the doctor is an extremely intelligent-looking woman wearing glasses.

I sit up in my chair and tell her everything.

“………… It won’t go away.”

“What won’t?”

“………… The board ……”

“The what?”

She looks at me like she has no idea what I’m talking about.

“…… My mental Shogi board won’t go away ……!” I hold my head in my hands and say as clearly as I can, “Uh-huh.”

The doctor looks down at the clipboard in her arms.

“It says here you’re …… a professional Shogi player, yes? I see, I see.”

She nods a few times before following up with a question.

“So, in that case, you always think about Shogi?”

“More than the average guy …… Probably. But, not all the time. I’ve always been able to easily go back and forth like flipping a switch and the board would go away …… But now, it’s like the switch flips on by itself …… And I can’t turn it off whenever it does ……”

“I see. And you’re constantly anxious.”

“I wouldn’t go that far!”

“And by that you mean …?”

“…… Time flies.”

“???”

“Once Shogi crosses my mind, the next thing I know, the sun is going down ……”

“Okay ……”

“It’s been like that for a while now …… I can’t tell if the board I’m seeing is real or in my head anymore …… I haven’t slept at all ……”

“Well, thinking itself is work for a professional Shogi player. Perhaps all this thinking has made you nervous–––.”

“I’m telling you, it’s not like that! I’m not making a conscious decision to think! My sense of time is completely gone …… Help me, would you?!!”

“That is troubling ……”

The doctor goes silent, thinking to herself for a few moments before asking me this. “Do you like little girls?”

“Say what?”

“Little girls. Do you like them?”

“Huh? W-Well …… No more than anyone else ……”

“Do you have many opportunities to interact with little girls in your daily life?”

“Well …… Um, actually, my apprentice lives with me …… Not in a weird way, okay? It’s a bit unusual the Shogi world, but not unheard of.”

“An elementary school student?”

“A fourth grader.”

“That …… apprentice? You have just the one?”

“One live-in apprentice …… I live with one, but I have one more apprentice. She’s also a fourth grader. Oh, and my apprentice’s friends come to my apartment every now and then …… They’re fourth-graders, too, but one is in first grade. Listen, I didn’t take her as my apprentice because I like girls that age. It’s just that that’s the age she happened to be, and her friends are around the same age, too.”

“I think I understand …… Yes. I see, I see.”

She nods as if she got where I’m coming from and starts writing something down on the clipboard. Then, she looks me square in the eyes.

“You have a Lolita complex.”

“…… Come again?”

“The name of the disease. You have a Stage 5 Lolita complex. I’ll have you hospitalized immediately.”

“Huh? …… Huuuuuh?!”

You can be hospitalized for a Lolita complex?! Is that a thing?! Is it a disease?!

Wait a sec–––.

“I’m not like that!!”

“Unaware of own condition …… Recorded.”

The doctor’s pen races across her clipboard. This looks serious?!

I’m not sure why but …… Being told I have a Lolita complex by a doctor like this makes me think I really might have one and that it’s a serious illness!

“Is there a cure, Doc?! Will I ever be normal again?!”

“It’s a stubborn disease, to be sure. A full recovery is impossible, and it will stay with you as long as you live.”

“S-So it’s a …… only death fixes stupid kind of thing ……?”

“Because it is in fact an incurable disease. That being said, it is possible to suppress the symptoms.”

“Like group therapy? Something like they do to help alcoholics ……?”

“Absolutely not. Gathering a group of inflicted people into one place would cause more problems than it would solve.”

That sounded like something the producer of some Loli Manga magazine would say.

“Okay, what kind of treatment?”

“Surgery.”

“Sur- ……?!”

Accused of having a Lolita complex and faced with the prospect of going under the knife for it, I stare at the doctor’s face in total disbelief.

Only then did I notice.

This doctor …… She’s really young.

I’m not saying young doctors are bad. It’s just this one isn’t really young, more like adolescent. No matter how you look at her, she’s got to be in grade school–––.

Huh?

This doctor, she’s ……

“…… Ai?”

“Keep your hands off me, got it? That disease will spread.”

That sharp tongue. There’s no doubt about it, that’s Ai.

Dressed in a white lab coat and a tight pencil skirt is my second apprentice–––Ai Yashajin. She crosses and re-crosses her arms and unleashes a storm of harsh words on her Master like it was what she was born to do and then looks at a nurse standing behind me and gives orders.

“Prepare to operate.”

“Right away.”

I look at the nurse and nearly jump out of my skin.

“A-Ayano?!”

She’s dressed in white, but that is definitely Ayano. A grade schooler. My apprentice’s good friend who wears glasses.

She looks great in that nurse outfit. Really cute♡

“Hold up, hold up! This is no time to get distracted?! Think about it …… Th-this isn’t right?! What’re two kids doing working in a hospital?! This game of doctor you’re playing has gone way too far–––.”

“Strap him down so he won’t struggle. People infected by a Lolita complex become incredibly strong when they see little girls.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

More girls’ voices chime in.

Cuffs and straps come up from behind me. The ones taking away my freedom of movement are–––.

“Sorry, Kujuryu-sensei. Stay real still, okay?”

“Masta? Dwon’t move! Stay?”

“Mio?! Charlette?! S-Stop this right now!!”

Crap …… I’m tied to the chair! I can’t move!

“Lolita complexes infect the brain and the groin, so I’ll remove them both,” says Ai, dressed as a doctor and looking up and down at me like a filthy pile of trash.

“Still, it may be too late already.”

“If it’s too late, then you don’t have to do anything!! This is fine, so just let me be!!”

“You’re okay with having a Lolita complex?”

“Just fine!! I’m fine like this!! Let me live with a Lolita complex!!”

“So, you admit it. I knew you had one. Now, we operate.”

Then Charlette says the scariest thing ever with a grin on her face.

“You know? Cha, Cha can do swergery!”

“No, you can’t! You can’t do surgery, Charlette!!”

“Wes, Cha can.”

“And those aren’t surgeons’ clothes …… That’s what lunch ladies wear?!”

“Scwalppel.”

“Here you are! One scalpel!!”

“What are you giving a first grader a blade for?! Mio, stop looking at me like you’re enjoying this!”

Mio puts the cutting tool in Charlette’s tiny hand.

The blade isn’t all that big …… But it’s shining in my eyes!

“Hey, hey Charlette. Wouldn’t it be fun to see his appendix?”

“Appwendiss?”

“See, right about here …… The bottom part of the stomach. Explaining it all would be boring, so let’s just cut and see what we can see.”

“Cwut!”

Two grade school girls wearing lunch lady clothes lean over my lap and point scalpels at my vulnerable midsection like they’re playing a game!

“Stop, please, I’m begging you! Just up, pleeease!!”

“That voice is annoying. Hurry up and castrate the pervert.”

“S-Sorry about this …… But, Lolita complexes are a serious disease and must be treated ……”

“I’ll cut the stomach, so Charlette, the head is all yours.”

“Cha want to swee a kadabba.”

“S-St …… STOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!”

My voice echoes around the operation room.

No one’ll come to help me. Actually, the louder I yell the more fun Mio and Charlette seem to be having. Ayano looks sorry for me behind her glinting glasses.

Then the grade schoolers descend on me–––.

“DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!”

GASP!!

Once I see the bed covers flying off my body, everything clicks.

“………… That was, a dream ……?”

A terrifying dream about a group of grade school girls dressed in white clothes about to operate on me.

It all felt like a simple game of doctor …… Even a cat with nine lives couldn’t survive that ……

“Kh ……! Why’d I have a dream like that ……?!”

I don’t have a Lolita complex and I’ve never played doctor with grade school girls before.

That’s not to say Ai Yashajin didn’t look good in that lab coat, and Ayano in a nurse’s outfit was divine. Seeing Mio and Charlette swing those blades around so innocently scared me half to death, but I don’t think I could say no if someone asked me if I enjoyed the thrill just a little bit. That being naughty feeling is what makes grade school girl so great ……!

“H-Hold up?! No!! I went to the doctor’s office for the first time in forever yesterday …… That’s why I had that dream?!”

I explain to no one as I scratch my sweaty hair.

“…… Just when I thought those sleep aids I got would help me get some shut eye, this happens ……”

I slept for seven hours but still feel totally drained.

Ever since the Ryuo Title Match ended, I’ve been dealing with something I’ve never gone through before.

The Shogi board in my head won’t go away.

My reading skills went through the roof in my battle against the Meijin, but now that mental Shogi board keeps showing up in random places in my day-to-day life.

“I kept it mostly under control during the matches but …… Without that pressure to keep it down, I can’t turn it off ……”

Not only has it been keeping me awake, the other day I ended up standing at a crosswalk for nearly an hour as a sequence played out in my head …… I know there are plenty of weird people in the Shogi world, but this is ridiculous.

“……… My brain sure seems raring to go, but my body can’t get any rest …… The new year has already started, and I’m going to be playing matches left and right in no time ……”

Then my bedroom door flings open.

“Master?! I heard a big scream! Are you okay?!”

“Yeah, I’m all right. Was just a night …… mare ……?”

My ten-year-old apprentice is standing in the doorway.

Holding–––a small cutting instrument just like the one I saw in my dream in her tiny hand.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”

Screaming at the top of my lungs, I fall to the floor.

“A real nightmare ……”

Sitting at the low table in the tatami room, I tell Ai about the dream with a dejected look on my face.

Of course I left out the part about the Lolita complex exam and just told her, “The Grade School Practice Group was about to do surgery on me before I knew it was happening. It was terrifying.” That’s the gist of it.

Oh, and Ai had a kitchen knife in her hand.

She uses a smaller one because it’s easier for her to control with her tiny hands. But, it being so small is why I thought it was a scalpel at first.

Ai is sitting next to me wearing an apron with a cute cat’s face on the front. She looks worried about me and says, “I was halfway through making breakfast when I heard you yell …… That’s why I went to check on you. It must’ve been really scary.”

“Scary, yes but …… I wonder what that being my first dream this year means ……”

“What?! It’s already January 5th! You hadn’t had a dream until last night?”

“Hmm …… Well, I don’t dream that much anyway ……”

That’s the best excuse I could come up with.

Actually, I haven’t been able to sleep much at all. That’s why I went to see the doctor yesterday …… I guess those memories were still fresh. It could be why I had that dream. And the first dream you have each year is supposed to be a forecast for the rest of the year, too.

Great …… My mind’s going all over the place, so I can’t think at all ……

“Hey, hey Master.”

“Hm?”

“Do you want to know what my …… first dream was?”

“Oh sure. What was it?”

“Try to guess!”

“All right …… Knowing you, Shogi puzzles?”

“Noooope! Try again.”

“Really? Can I have a hint?”

“A hint? A very, very happy dream!”

“Happy? A first dream that brings happiness …… Maybe … climbing Mount Fuji?”

“Not even close! Something even more happy than that!”

“More than that? Watching the sunrise from the top of Mount Fuji is supposed to be the happiest first dream there is, isn’t it?”

“You’ll never get it like this, Master. I’ll go ahead and tell you, okay?”

She can’t wait to say it, I can see it on her face. So, let’s see what this very happy first dream she had was.

“The dream I had was …… playing Shogi with you!”

Then she happily smiles with a “Uhee♡”

Sigh …… So cute ……

It’s only been a week since I successfully defended my title against the Meijin in a full seven-match series. My spirit nearly broke many times during my battle against the best pro Shogi player in history.

But whenever that happened, it was Ai being here that kept me going.

–––This girl saved me ……

Feeling that tidal wave of gratitude once again, the pit of my chest starts burning.

For the first time, I’m truly grateful that this girl and I had a good New Year’s Day together …… That I defended my title. Only now does it feel real.

I’m the Dragon King, the Ryuo, and Ai has joined the Women’s League ……

So many things happened last year, but it was the most intense, rough …… and happiest year I’ve ever been alive.

So much so that I don’t think it’s possible for things to get any better than this ……

“Ah! Ozoni, ozoni~.”

Ai jumps to her feet once bubbling sounds start coming from a pot in the kitchen.

She comes back with a bowl on a tray in her hands, thick steam rising from it.

“Master! I made this ozoni myself! I had my parents send the ingredients from home, so please try it!”

“Hm? Looks pretty ordinary to me.”

She holds out the Wajimanuri bowl that she brought from her parent’s place. It’s filled to the top with broth. Round mochi rice cakes and aona green leaves are floating inside. Along with the sleepless nights, I haven’t had much of an appetite recently either but ……

One whiff of that broth makes my mouth water. I suppose taking a small sip wouldn’t hurt.

“?! …… W-What is this stuff?!”

Holy cow, this is good?!

Snatching a pair of chopsticks off the table, I down the whole bowl in no time flat.

“It’s just plain ozoni with mochi and leaves but …… This is hands down the best ozoni I’ve ever tasted!! It’s the broth, right?! That’s the secret, yeah?!”

“Eheehee♡ This is how it always tastes at home.”

“What broth is it? I know it’s made from fish, but beyond that ……”

“It’s ago.”

“…… Ago?”

“What you call flying fish.”

“Flying fish …… The ones that hop out of the water?”

“I put some dried ones in water last night and then used that water to make the broth.”

“Oh? …… I didn’t know flying fish were this good.”

My tongue had been on vacation since the Ryuo Title Match ended but came back to life with a savory explosion of flavor, the likes of which I’ve never tasted before. My head is clearing up for the first time in ages.

“Seconds!”

“Eheehee. Okay, how about a different flavor this time?”

Ai disappears back into the kitchen and brings out another bowl a few minutes later.

It’s just that there are different things inside it this time.

“Isn’t that …… iwanori seaweed?”

“Yes! It’s a must-have for Noto-style ozoni! Everyone calls it botanori where I’m from!”

“Interesting!”

Ai is from the Wakura area, a small town full of hot springs off the Noto Sea coastline. The iwanori seaweed sprinkled on top of the ozoni, a staple food for Japanese people on New Year’s, makes quite an impact. It’s a regional tradition over there. This regional ozoni just turned everything I thought I knew about regular ozoni upside down.

But …… That rough shoreline aroma really makes the flying fish broth soar off the tongue!

“This is amazing! Another bowl!”

“Sure♡ Two mochi is enough, right?”

Ai goes back to the kitchen, the adorable pitter-patter of her feet echoing behind her.

Watching her go, I bring up something pretty nostalgic.

“Now that I think about it, you boiled seaweed in a frying pan when you first came here.”

“You remember that?!”

“Of course I do. I couldn’t get over the fact that a grade school girl could make it.”

It was ten months ago, the first morning Ai was here with me.

I remember every detail about that morning like it was yesterday–––.

“It’d be so nice to eat like this every day for the rest of my life—that was the first thing I thought.”

“……!!”

Ai was halfway back into the room with a bowl of ozoni on the tray in her arms when she suddenly freezes and turns bright red.

“T-That, sounded like …… a proposal …… ♡”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“Nope! I’m just really happy you like it …… ♡” says Ai, still red as a tomato.

“I …… want you to eat my cooking, Master. You took me as your apprentice and doing things around the house is the only way I can thank you ……”

“Thanks. You are a real lifesaver.”

“Eheehee♡”

Her whole face melts into a smile.

“A-And …… I want you to get used to what my family’s food tastes like as quickly as possible …… ♡♡♡”

“Huh?”

“Nothing!” she mumbles, hiding her face behind the tray.

I’ve got no clue what she said, but that’s adorable. Haaa, this is nice~.

“Oh, speaking of nice things ……”

I slide out from under the heated kotatsu table and crawl to the corner of the room to pick up a legged Shogi board. Cradling it in my arms, I rub my cheek against the playing surface.

A brand new 7-sun, 8.35 inch, Shogi board that just arrived yesterday.

“He-he-he. So nice …… Nothing beats a fresh Shogi board ……♡ Ahhhh♡♡♡”

“You sure seem to like it a lot, Master.”

“A hyuga torreya tree made in Ayacho, Miyazaki Prefecture, and a tenchimasa 7-sun to boot. It’s not easy to get boards like this nowadays. I picked it out as soon as the maker said they had one.”

“Aya? Tenchi …… masa?”

“It means it’s extremely rare and has the best wood grain out there.”

“Now I get it. You bought a treat for yourself after the Ryuo Title Match!”

“Well, it is a treat.”

I look down at the wood’s reddish tinge and follow the grain around the board with my eyes and nod.

Just thinking about the sound the pieces will make on this beauty makes my heart skip a beat ……

“It certainly wasn’t cheap, but it’s a necessary investment for any player. Whenever the top players back in the day were asked, What can I do to get better at Shogi? Their advice would always be, Acquire a high-quality board and pieces.”

“Really?! Do the board and pieces really matter that much?!”

“Once you get a really good board and expensive pieces, you wouldn’t want to waste them by skipping out on practice, now would you?”

“Oh, so that’s what they meant.”

I thought I’d get more of her reaction than that. Then again, Ai practices every single day with or without a nice board and pieces. So maybe she thinks it doesn’t apply to her.

“But Master? How could you get any stronger than you already are? You beat the Meijin, best player around.”

“There’s no limit to how good you can get.”

It’s true that I’ve been on a winning streak since the fourth match of the Ryuo Title Match and I feel like I’ve improved, but that doesn’t mean I think I’m the best Shogi player in the world. Under no uncertain terms do I consider myself to be better than the Meijin.

What’s more.

People aren’t the only opponents I have to deal with in modern Shogi–––.

“Whoa! That late already …… Ai, shouldn’t you be getting ready for your appointment at the salon?”

“Yes. I should, but …… Are you sure it’s okay to be splurging like this ……?”

“Of course! Reporters and journalists will be all over the place today, so not going the extra mile would be worse. You have to look your cutest today to help promote the Kansai Shogi world!”

Today is January 5th.

It’s the first day of work on the Shogi calendar …… And it all starts with an important ceremony.

The one greeting all the Kansai players and media people assembled in the Shogi association’s Black Corridor on the fifth floor is a frail, eighty-year-old man.

Kansai Shogi Association Director–––Tatsuo Zaou 9-dan.

Probably the highest authority in the Kansai Shogi world, he’s been nicknamed the Don of Naniwa.

Not only was he once a titleholder and a member of the A League, he is also famous for making Shogi puzzles, as well as for his singing career and stints as a pro wrestling commentator in his younger days. This man has done pretty much everything under the sun.

In fact, the position of Director was created specifically for Zaou-sensei, which should make it obvious just how important he is to the Kansai Shogi world.

“…… Master. That man up there, is he a really high-ranking person?”

“…… That’s right. You haven’t met Zaou-sensei before, have you Ai?”

Ai taps me on the shoulder from behind and I quietly explain.

“…… He’s my Master’s Master’s elder brother. So, that makes him my great uncle and your …… great-great uncle, I think.”

“…… Master’s Master’s Master’s …… Big brother? Oh, wooow ……!”

“Yeah. He’s the top of our Shogi family tree and also the oldest active pro. Talk about an amazing person.”

Not to mention, my Master’s Master already passed away.

It’s extraordinary enough that he’s still alive and playing Shogi, but he’s also in my league, C-2. All of humanity is surprised at this point.

“…… Though, at his age, his Shogi skills and physical endurance can’t keep up. He announced that he’ll retire after this season’s Placement Matches.”

“He will ……? It’s sad to see him go ……”

“……… Yeah ……”

To tell the truth, there’s a reason I can’t feel sorry to see him retire but …… Telling Ai would just complicate things, so I’ll keep my mouth shut for now.

Zaou-sensei’s upcoming retirement seems to be hanging over the whole room even though the new year is just getting started. The older players look so depressed that it’s almost painful.

The elderly Don looks across the room and flashes a grin.

“What are all ya’ll in mournin’ fer? It’s New Year’s, so let’s ’ave some fun.”

Those words turned into the ceremony’s opening bell.

For today is January 5th, First Move Ceremony day.

It’s exactly what it sounds like, a ceremony where pro Shogi players make their first moves of the year.

“I’m looking forward to our matches this year.”

“As am I. How about one to start us off ……?”

People start pairing up, saying hello and then going to one of the many Shogi boards lined up around the room.

Now then, who should I go against ……? Just as I was looking around, Zaou-sensei waves me over and says, “Ryuo. Take this upper seat.”

“What?! But, Sensei, that’s your seat ……”

“I ain’t playin’. Ma’ knees and ankles can’ take sittin’ down much no more.”

He sticks up a thin arm that would look more at home as a tree branch in an ancient forest and shakes it back and forth before making for the exit.

When it comes to Go, they can play in chairs for league matches. Those players can stay active into their nineties but …… the Shogi Association has insisted that all league matches take place on tatami mats, so it’s nearly impossible to last that long in the Shogi world.

“I’m ’eadin’ downstairs to getta jump on things. Kousuke, join me.”

“Yah, yah. I’d be glad to keep ya company.”

Master Kiyotaki follows the Don out of the room with a big grin on his face. Both of them love Shogi, but they love beer even more.

“If only Seiichi were ’ere.”

“Mr. Tsukimitsu is the chairman, ya know. Probably didn’t have a way to get outta bein’ at the Kanto First Move Ceremony.”

“’At boy ain’t suited fer ’at kind a work. Can’ see nothin’, poor guy …… And all he’s got fer company are ya spiritless whippersnappers.”

“Yes, yes, Sensei. Let’s talk over a few beers, yeah?”

“Now ya speakin’ my language ……”

My Master helps Zaou-sensei go down the stairs to the fourth floor, his steps weak and feeble. I know they’re prepping the New Year’s party downstairs, so there are plenty of beer and snacks down there already.

“Zaou-sensei is really getting up there in years ……”

“I hate to see him go, but retiring is probably the best thing for him ……”

Small conversations break out around the room as people watch the Don make his exit. Then, they start sitting around the boards.

On a side note, the First Move Ceremony in Kanto has a lot more structure. They use only one board and the players change out one move at a time to play a single match of Shogi. In Kansai, we always just put a bunch of boards out and play against whoever we want.

Basically, we wing it. That’s Kansai.

“All right, who’s going to be my opponent?”

I, the Ryuo, plop down in the upper seat of the board in the middle of the room and wait for someone to sit across from me.

Normally, people line up for a chance to play against a titleholder. Oh, great. The year just started and I’m going to be exhausted right off the bat. It’s tough being the popular one, real tough.

…… At least, I thought it would be.

“…… You’re not going to?”

“No, man. I mean, come on ……”

“It’s just …… You know?”

And other conversations just like those are going on all around me. Lots of eye contact, but no one’s coming.

What is it? What is this you know they’re talking about?

It seems like all the players in their twenties that used to like making life hard on me are taking a step back, almost like they’re trying to keep their distance.

Are they intimidated by my title? But I was Ryuo all last year too, and I had opponents coming at me one after another saying things to each other like, “Let’s go see how the Ryuo does it!” I got hit with all the latest trends in a single day right at the start of the year and took a lot of damage, which ended up kickstarting my muddy eleven-match losing streak …… Something’s weird this year.

“What about Big Sis and Keika ……?”

I crane my neck and see both of them playing against amateurs on the lower floor in the Ongedan no Ma. Each is surrounded by a crowd, so they seem to be pretty popular over there.

–––Am I …… that unpopular?!

Just as I was getting worried.

“Um! One match, please!!”

“Oh, sure!! Of course, I’d be happy to–––.”

My spirits leap, grateful to have an opponent at last. But … they come crashing back to earth once I see who’s sitting there.

“What? Ai, really?”

“Yes! Because you don’t look like you have an opponent.”

“Well, not yet, but ……… Hmm ……”

“What’s wrong? Am I not …… good enough for you?”

“It’s not that at all …… I just want to play against someone I don’t normally get a chance to go against.”

“Yeah, yeah. There are better opponents out there for you, Ai. Like a Ranging Rook party member, perhaps,” says a newcomer as he plops his hand down on Ai’s head.

Worldly Maestro–––King Mitsuru Oishi.

“Hop along, kiddo. I’ll step in for you.”

“You, Maestro? Right off the bat?!”

“Happy-go-lucky, don’t you think?” Mr. Oishi says he kneels on the tatami.

“Whoa! Looks like the King is going against the Ryuo!”

“Kansai’s top two facing off so soon? This year’s going to be something special!”

…… Good grief. I know we attract attention, but this is ridiculous.

I wanted to take things slow and ease into this year, but my opponent is who he is. Might as well sit up straight and dive right in!

Just as I was getting into the spirit–––.

“…… Ai? I’m going to play against Mr. Oishi, so please let him sit down ……”

“No, I won’t! I refuse to get up!!”

Ai puts her arms around the Shogi board, crouching down real low and yells at the top of her lungs.

“You’ve been so cold recently, Master! You don’t pay any attention to me at home anymore …… At first, I thought you were just tired from the Ryuo Title Match …… But back when I was nine, you’d always tell me how cute I am and teach me something new every night no matter how tired you were. Have you lost interest in me now that I’m ten?!”

Murmur murmur ……

“Welp ……”

“So, the rumors were true ……”

“Better stay away from that guy!”

People at the First Move Ceremony take yet another step back. Exactly what have people been saying?!

“Oh, come on, Ai! This year just got started, and people are going to get the wrong idea if you say things like that!!”

“That’s not my problem! Darabuchi!!”

A journalist comes up behind Ai as she was calling me a foul word from her hometown and gets her attention.

“Miss Hinatsuru. Would you be willing to play a match against Miss Ai Yashajin?”

“Huuuh?! M-Me, against Ten-chan ……?”

“Yes, please! I want to write a story about the two new elementary school–aged members of the Women’s League for this year’s first front page! Fresh faces to go along with a fresh year!”

“That’s …… okay with me but ……”

Ai cautiously glances at the girl sitting in the corner of the room, Ai Yashajin a.k.a. Ten-chan because the kanji she uses for her name—天—can also be read that way.

“No.”

She shoots down the proposition right away. Ai Yashajin has always hated big crowds, and the only reason she came to the ceremony was because it’s part of her job as a Women’s League member …… But that doesn’t mean she’ll pretend to like being here. I let out a long sigh and try to convince her.

“You already came all this way, so why not? You’ll be interviewed and get a few nice pictures out of it, too.”

“I-I …… want to play Shogi with you, too, Ten-chan …… It’ll be fun,” Ai Hinatsuru chimes in, almost jokingly.

The journalist, who has a really kind air about him, practically throws himself into a deep bow.

“My paper is based in Kobe. Nothing would make me happier than to feature a local rising star like you, Miss Yashajin!”

“…………”

Ai glances around the room looking for someone to take her side, but unfortunately her caretaker and bodyguard Akira, who almost always comes to the association with her, is currently engaged in a fierce battle with grade school kids at the Shogi boards. I don’t think she’ll have time to come to her lady’s rescue. Apparently, she’s developed a new strategy: Hold captured pieces as not to let your opponent see them! Now who’s the kid ……?

Seeing my apprentice growing more irritated by the second, I do my best Master voice.

“Ai. This is work.”

“…… Understood, Sensei.”

Saying sensei with a strong hint of sarcasm, Ai Yashajin gets up and walks to an open board. Ai Hinatsuru jumps up with a start and rushes to catch up to her.

Cameras engulf them as soon as the two girls sit down at the board.

Since Ai Yashajin has made it into the best eight at the Mynavi Finals and had already been promoted to C-1 in the Practice League, she joined the Women’s League with a 2-kyu ranking once her registration was complete at the end of last year.

She set a new record that day: youngest ever to join at ten years and zero months old.

That erased Ai Hinatsuru’s record of ten years and one month that was set when she joined the Women’s League back in November. Both ascended to the ranks at blinding speed, but it will be Ai Yashajin’s name in the history books just because she happened to be born two months later.

Age is the best way to measure talent in the Shogi world.

Of course, the article will focus mainly on Ai Yashajin.

“You continue to trample your way through the Mynavi Women’s Open, Miss Yashajin. At this rate, you could very well achieve the Mynavi Dream. Do you believe you can do it?”

“As long as I can play to my full potential.”

“So, you’re confident you can win as long as you play your best?”

“I intend to hold nothing back.”

She didn’t so much as stutter through the whole thing, cool as a cucumber as she answered the questions.

Perfect, textbook answers …… But I can tell it’s all an act. It feels like she’s just going through the motions.

This journalist, who’s interviewing Ai for the first time, luckily took it the best way possible.

“I see …… Well, I must say that Kobe’s Cinderella is just as fiery during Shogi matches as she is during interviews!”

“Huuh?! Wh-who is this Kobe’s Cinderella?! Are you talking about me?!”

So much for being calm, cool and collected. She’s a fireball now.

Ai Hinatsuru had been waiting patiently on the other side of the board but sounds jealous when she speaks up.

“Awww! You’ve got a great nickname, Ten-chan, and I don’t have one! No fair!!”

“Great?! What’s so great about a nickname that sounds like some washed-up enka singer who can’t sell a single record?!”

“Excuse me. Please write this in your article: Shogi’s magic has turned me into Cinderella. I want to find the glass slippers before the spell breaks …… Ones that belong to the queen, my slippers.”

“Have you lost your mind, Sensei?! Don’t barge into my interview and create some gross Lolita poem!! You, journalist, do not print that! Is that clear?!”

“You’re so lucky, Ten-chan!! Master is making poems about you! I’m so jealous!!”

“There’s nothing to be jealous about!!”

The air is suddenly filled with a kiddie argument and rounds of laughter from the adults nearby.

The ceremony started out all gloomy and depressing, but now it’s starting to feel more like Kansai.

My Master and Zaou-sensei had downed several rounds by the time I got there. To be blunt, Master Kiyotaki is plastered.

“What say ya, Kousuke? Had enough, eh?!”

“Nah, nahhh …… Op-p-p-pen da nex oooooooooowwhhhhhhh!”

There’s my Master, spewing all over the floor.

“Sad, ‘at. Just ‘ad to drink Seiichi’s rounds, too, didn’ ya?”

Even at eighty, Zaou-sensei hadn’t had his fill. Now he’s moved on to sake, downing it like shots whenever his cup gets filled.

“That’s the Don of Naniwa for you …… Drinking my fifty-something-year-old Master under the table ……”

“G-Grandpa-sensei ……!”

My Master falls face first onto the floor and Ai rushes out to help him. Keika, sighing to herself, follows her.

“………… That’s the head of our Shogi family ……,” says Ai Yashajin with a cold look on her face. Although she orders Akira to pitch in. How nice of her.

Since the leaders and mainstays of the Kansai area are already beyond tipsy themselves, all the New Year’s party formalities are going out the window.

So, it falls to underage players like myself who can’t drink alcohol to talk with the media people.

The one drawing a lot of attention at the moment is Naniwa’s Snow White.

“Sora–dual title! You’ve been assigned to serve as an examiner for tomorrow’s Sub League 3-dan admission exam. Are you feeling any pressure?!”

“The examinee, Shouji Karako Amateur 3-dan, was once a member of the Sub League himself who advanced all the way to 3-dan but was expelled due to his age, correct?! What are your chances?!”

“Miss Sora, one more victory and you will be promoted to 3-dan yourself! Will we see the first woman in history to achieve that rank tomorrow?!”

“A message for your fans across the country, Snow White!”

Big Sis systematically works around the circle of journalists, saying: “yes,” “no” and “I will play the best I can” in quick succession. She’s a natural at this ……

The first female to achieve 3-dan is historic as it is and reaching that rank at fifteen years old means her chances of turning pro are pretty high.

The first female pro in Shogi history–––Ginko Sora 4-dan on the scene.

If that happens, she’ll get more press than either the Meijin or I did as junior high school pros.

Because, I mean, junior high school students making it to the pros isn’t all that impressive anymore–––.

“Yaichi, happy new year.”

“Oh, Sota. Same to you.”

A grade school boy says hello with a big smile. Those legs sticking out of his shorts are so thin it’s almost distracting.

“People mistake me for a girl all the time when I dress normally.”

And there’s a good reason for it. That baby face of his looks almost feminine.

This boy, who could pull off the beautiful young girl look on the same level as my apprentices if he ever decided to wear a skirt, often works my matches as the match recorder.

I haven’t seen him much outside of the association since Ai moved in with me, but he used to stay overnight at my apartment all the time. We’d play Shogi until the sun came up.

“Yaichi, you’re like a real big brother.”

“It’d be so much fun to live with you, Yaichi.”

“I love …… your Shogi …… Yaichi.”

Just thinking about it brings back so many memories. Talk about a cute protégé …… But he’s gone beyond what I can call cute in the Shogi world.

“Kunugi 2-dan! Do you have a moment?!”

“You have an opportunity to become the first ever professional Shogi player in elementary school in history this year. Can you do it?!”

“Would you please stand next to Sora–dual title for a few pictures?!”

A group of media people spot Sota and swoop in.

“…… Yaichi, sorry. I want to stay and chat more but ……”

“Yeah. Go do your thing.”

I send him off with an understanding smile. He puts on his interview face and goes to talk to them. Cameras surround him in the blink of an eye.

Either he’s got nerves of steel or he’s used to this much attention.

Almost as if taking his place, Ai Hinatsuru shows up with a plate full of food in her arms alongside Ai Yashajin with just a drink in her hand. They must be finished taking care of the drunks.

“Master? Who is that boy ……?”

“Sota Kunugi 2-dan. He’s eleven, so probably one grade above the two of you.”

“And already 2-dan in the Sub League?! W-What a monster ……”

Even the arrogant Lady Ai Yashajin calls him a monster.

That’s just how extraordinarily talented he is, reaching Sub League 2-dan as a fifth-grader.

Both of the Ai’s possess extraordinary talent as far as the Women’s League is concerned. Maybe the best ever.

But take away the difference between men and women …… And they’re still good, but not extraordinary.

Of course, Ai Hinatsuru’s late game abilities and Ai Yashajin’s visualization skills would be viable weapons in the Sub League. However, there are monsters lurking in there with talent that goes way beyond theirs.

Those Sub League members’ abilities are in no way inferior to the players who made it through to the pros.

In that case, why?

Why do people who have enough skill and talent to be pro players not make it that far?

The reason roles off my tongue.

“…… The Shogi gods.”

“Fwhee? Gods ……?”

Ai Hinatsuru tilts her head with a confused look in her eyes, but Ai Yashajin looks annoyed.

Just as I start to explain–––.

“What’s this? Are you talking about the Shogi gods leaving me out to dry?” a man dressed in a suit says in a cheerful voice.

I respond with the same enthusiasm. “Actually, I would say the Shogi gods really like you, Mr. Kagamizu. Otherwise you’d have been gone a long time ago.”

“Hahaha. That’s still not the easiest thing to hear.”

Hiuma Kagamizu 3-dan.

He’s the oldest Sub League member in both Kanto and Kansai at twenty-nine.

The rules say that the age limit for Sub League members is twenty-six, but there is a condition where someone could stay until they’re thirty: a winning extension.

That’s how Mr. Kagamizu has managed to stay in the Sub League this long. The fact that I can say the Shogi gods love him shows what good friends we are and that there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be a pro someday.

I introduce him to my apprentices.

“This is Ai Hinatsuru and Ai Yashajin, both are my apprentices and now members of the Women’s League. They’ll probably be working with you at some point, so please show them the ropes.”

“N-Nice to meet you!”

“…… Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Ai Hinatsuru is so nervous she’s shaking in her shoes. Meanwhile Ai Yashajin keeps her introduction cut and dried with a quick nod.

“The pleasure is mine, Senseis.”

Mr. Kagamizu stands at attention before giving them a deep bow from the waist.

The fact that they’re grade schoolers doesn’t matter. He has no choice but to call Women’s League members Sensei in public. That’s his standing as a Sub League member.

“Mr. Kagamizu helped me out more than anyone when I joined the Sub League. He taught me everything from how to write match records to making tea and all about the association rules. Of course, Shogi too,” I say to my two apprentices, still stunned to be called Sensei by a grown man. “Women’s League members often work alongside Sub League members as match recorders for league matches. Both of you, take whatever he says to heart, understand?”

“You learned Shogi? From him? This man here?”

Ai Yashajin glances back and forth between the two of us.

“That I did. He was already 3-dan when I joined, so why wouldn’t I?”

“Although, you passed me up in no time at all,” he says, sounding humble. But to be honest, there’s not much difference between the two of us when it comes to ability and skill.

There’s a newcomer’s tournament that Sub League members and new pros can participate in, and Mr. Kagamizu has won the whole thing before. I joined the tournament once, but got completely destroyed in the first round ……

A Sub League member winning the newcomer’s tournament is unheard of. It’s also humiliating for the pros who were involved.

In other words, Mr. Kagamizu has what it takes to survive as a Shogi pro.

But, even so …… He can’t get out of the Sub League.

Shogi strength is everything in this world, but some other force being at work is the only way to explain what happens in the Sub League.

“By the way, Yaichi. I got a hold of the thing you wanted.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah. A friend of a friend happened to have saved a copy.” Glancing at my apprentices, Mr. Kagamizu drops his voice and says, “I gave a digital copy to Miss Kugui already but …… Actually, I haven’t seen her around. Have you?”

“Oh, her? Her family is actual nobility, so apparently she’s off at a shrine for a big ceremony today.”

I pull out my smartphone and show him.

Imperial Palace now~.

Hard as it was to believe, I’d gotten a message from her with a picture attached to prove it. There was Yamashiro Ouka Machi Kugui dressed in a full kimono and standing right in front of a big shrine with a sly, foxy grin on her face.

“I tell you, that girl …… She’s cute, but scary at the same time.”

“For sure. I can never tell what she’s thinking ……”

“You’d better watch your back, okay?”

“Come again? About what?”

Mr. Kagamizu reassuringly pats me on the shoulder even as I give him a confused stare. He then leaves the room to go get some more beer.

Sub League members like Mr. Kagamizu are always there to help the association staff prepare for events like the First Move Ceremony and parties like this one. He’s a natural born leader with a good heart who anyone can count on for help.

I’m always going to him for one thing or another–––.

“…… It’s because he’s so friendly that he spends so much time helping other people …… He has less time to focus on Shogi because of it and falls behind other Sub League members who don’t help out as much. That’s what’s holding him back ……”

If there are gods, he’s one of the people I want them to make a pro.

The problem is that the Shogi gods get jealous very easily and try to get back at the people who spend time on other things. That’s why idiots like me who only think about Shogi get put on a fast track. The better someone is as a person, the more they suffer in the Shogi world.

In that case …… How do I want my two apprentices to turn out?

Not just as Women’s League players.

But as people ……

“Um …… Master? What data was that man talking about?” Ai Hinatsuru asks me as she tugs on my sleeve. A surprisingly strong tug, I might add.

“Him? Nah, it’s nothing that the two of you need to know.”

“…… Dirty movies?”

“Shogi pieces! Material for Shogi pieces! Mr. Kagamizu found the character design data I was looking for!”

“Do you seriously expect us to believe you would go through all that trouble for some writing to put on Shogi pieces?” Ai Yashajin says, glaring at me like I’m a steaming pile of garbage. Great, she thinks I asked him to find me adult stuff, too.

“…… Not just any writing, these are special. Since I’m going to order an expensive set, I wanted to make them one-of-a-kind.”

“One-of-a-kind …… Shogi pieces? You can make those?”

“Of course you can. You just have to know who to ask.”

I point out a group of people having a lively conversation a little ways away. Each of them has colorful short-sleeved jackets on with the words Kansai Board and Piece Committee written on the back. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they were on their way to a festival.

“All of them are banshi and komashi.”

“Banshi? Komashi?”

“They’re craftsmen who make boards and pieces. Isn’t it obvious?”

Ai Hinatsuru tilts her head, thinking as hard as she can.

Ai Yashajin makes a verbal jab, sort of like: how can you not know something so simple?

“Everyone thinks of Tendou City in Yamagata Prefecture when it comes to Shogi pieces, but there are actually some skilled craftsmen here in Kansai who’ve kept the traditional style alive. No matter how good your Shogi skills are, you’re not carrying on the tradition as it should be without a good set of pieces and a high quality board to go with them.”

“Oh, wow~! I didn’t know people could have that kind of job!”

Ai Hinatsuru looks genuinely interested, her eyes lighting up.

Ai Yashajin, on the other hand, says with an ice-cold smirk, “Not for long, they won’t. Playing Shogi on the Internet is getting even more popular and it’s more fun to play on a tablet because the timer is built in. Real Shogi boards will be gone sooner rather than later.”

“…… Well, that’s one way to look at it, but–––.”

I was coming up with the best way to counter Ai’s sharp tongue when suddenly.

––KKKKKKKKKKK!!

––OOOCCCCCCKKKKKKK!!

“Ock?”

A really strange yell echoes in from outside the room.

Neither of the Ai’s have a clue–––but I knew immediately what is coming.

“Oh crap!! Keika!”

“Y-Yes?!”

“Take the kids and run away! Now!!”

“Run away …… from who?! Where am I supposed to take them?!”

“Anywhere is better than here! The girls need to be as far away from this building as possible! Every second matters!!”

Overwhelmed by my desperation, Keika stutters, “O-Okay!” as she grabs the two girls by their hands.

Clearly not understanding the severity of the situation, Ai and Ai say, “Hey?! Just what is going on?!”

“Master?! Who …… who is coming?! Master!”

The girls’ voices reach my ears as they evacuate, but I’m more focused on preparing myself for the one who’s about to come through that door ……!

A yell bizarre enough to make you question the yeller’s sanity blasts through the room.

It came from–––the one who walked in just as my apprentices were going out, a bombshell of a woman in a kimono.

“Ginko! Where’s Ginko?! Bring’er out here!!”

She takes a long swig out of the sake bottle in her right hand while swinging around a katana sword in her left. She may be looking for Big Sis with bloodshot eyes, but she’s not just some crazed female fan.

She’s the first female title holder in history–––Shumai Honinbou.

That’s not a Women’s title.

She’s the first woman to claim one of the seven professional Go titles, and she did it competing against men.

What’s more, she claimed the Honinbou title in her twenties, which is on the same level as Shogi’s Meijin. She’s an honest-to-goodness prodigy!

Her real name is something else, but she’s been going by Shumai Honinbou ever since she took the title. Pretty much everyone calls her Shumai-sensei at this point.

Since people don’t have as many hurdles to jump through to become a pro Go player compared to Shogi, female pros aren’t all that rare.

That being said, those men and women compete for the same seven titles, and she’s the first one and only woman in history to claim one for herself.

She’s also pretty popular in China, Korea and European countries where Go has caught on as a sport and even become an empowering symbol for women everywhere. Some people have gone so far as to call her a modern-day Joan of Arc.

Go and Shogi are like siblings, so players have a lot of chances to interact with each other. Big Sis and I have known Shumai-sensei for a long time, since we were kids.

She’s a strong player, one who we deeply respect.

Shumai-sensei seems to have taken a liking to Big Sis, another girl who’s facing a thick wall like the one she had to break. She’s even come to parties like this one as well as Opening Night parties for Big Sis’s title matches every now and then–––.

“C*ck! C*******CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK!!”

Just like her playing style, Shumai-sensei’s personality can be unpredictable.

Case in point: when she’s drunk like right now. She’ll get hung up on some four-letter word and keep shouting it to the point that no one can bring her back down to earth. And Shumai-sensei is almost always drunk. I could probably count the number of days each year she’s sober on my fingers. She’s even showed up to televised matches completely hammered.

Okay, yes, she’s crazed.

“Ginkoooo! It’s meeee! Shuuuuuumai!!”

“S-Sensei! I’m here ……”

“Ahhh, Ginko! There’s where you’ve been, Ginko! Could’a sworn you were out playin’ some c*ck somewhere!”

“I-I don’t do that kind of thing!”

“You dooon’t?”

Shumai-sensei looks at her in surprise.

“Today’s the day everyone plays c*ck, ain’t it? Puttin’ the moves on ceremony ……”

“First Move Ceremony!!”

“See, wha’d I tell you?! The day everybody plays c*ck, yah?! That’s why I skipped out on Go’s First Hit Ceremony just so I could be here! Now, let’s get some moves on!”

“This is Shogi! Go uses the word hit for each move, but Shogi says move!”

“No way?! Are you tellin’ me Shogi players move while matches are going on?!”

“No, absolutely not!!”

Big Sis turns bright red, denying everything.

If it were anyone else, she’d just kick them clear into next week and be done with it. But Big Sis has a great deal of respect for Shumai-sensei, so all she can do is blush and act like a normal fifteen-year-old girl for a change.

She’s so embarrassed that she’s trying to hide behind me just because I happen to be close by.

“Huuuh?! B-Big Sis, I’m not some human shield, okay?!”

“It’s fine ……!”

“No, it’s not! Hey?! Stop pushing, would you?!”

“……!! ……!!” (Shove, shove.)

She’s doing everything she can to get behind me while I’m doing everything I can to stop her.

Other people in the room must’ve thought we were fooling around, pushing back and forth like this.

Shumai-sensei looks down on both of us and stomps her foot in frustration.

“Damn it!! It’s new year’s and you’ve got Yaichi’s c*ck all to yourself?! I’m so frickin’ jealous right now!! Got that ragin’ teenaged c*ck goin’ in high and low, do you?! Ain’t that so, Ginko?!”

“Absolutely not!!” Big Sis and I scream at the same time.

Shumai-sensei is one thing, but now the other players and Kansai Association staff members are looking at us with “those two …… so, it’s true ……” written all over their faces. I can’t take it! I’d give anything to be anywhere other than here!!

“You dooon’t?! Never played once?!!”

For some reason, now she’s furious!

“That talent wall ain’t gonna break without popping the cherry!! Listen here, Ginko. Lettin’ the temptation build up’ll only get in the way! You’ll never break into the pros without breakin’ the virgin wall first!!”

“……”

Big Sis is speechless. Come on, she’ll keep pushing the envelope if you don’t cut her off right now ……

“You can’t keep getting on the usual way! You gotta …… give extreme effort!!”

“……!”

––– Extreme effort.

That’s Shumai-sensei’s motto.

As a person, she’s pretty extreme (obviously) but …… Shumai Honinbou is even moreso, cutting everything deemed unnecessary out of her life, all to become the best player she can be. That’s the effort.

It’s all the effort that she’s put in that allows her to be stubborn and get so muddy in matches that average pros can’t do anything against her skills. Each one of her hits on a Go board are so beautiful they leave everyone transfixed.

That’s exactly why a woman this wild and unpredictable has not only been accepted into the community but become a highly revered player.

Striking a serious expression, Shumai Honinbou points the tip of her katana directly at the silver-haired girl trying to follow in her footsteps as the first woman to clear the highest wall in Go, but this time in the Shogi world.

“Ears up, Ginko. Women are weaker than men. Physically, for sure, but it really shows in long matches. Women tire faster, making it harder to think. Men are stronger, simple as that. The only way to close the gap …… is extreme effort.”

For her, Go is a way of life, basically life itself. She says you can tell how a person has lived their life by the hits they make on the board.

That’s completely the opposite of modern Shogi theory, which says that skill level is the only thing that shows up on the board. However, her stance has a lot in common with the muddy, stubborn playing style that Kansai Shogi players love.

“…… Yet there’s something you’re gonna need to turn average effort into extreme effort. That’s what I want you to know …… You are on the path I’ve traveled, so I guarantee you’ll need it …… In order to give maximum effort–––.”

“I’ll need to ……?”

Big Sis leans in so she won’t miss a single word of what this great pioneer has to say.

Shumai-sensei then declares. “You’ll need a C*CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!”

What a waste of that epic buildup!!

“Shumai-sensei! Please go rest in one of the lodging rooms downstairs!”

“Get the Go Association on the phone and tell them to drag her out of here, now!”

“Be careful! That’s a real blade she’s got there!!”

“Call the police! Let’s get them to handle this!”

The association staff has had enough of Shumai-sensei’s antics and moves in to restrain her even as she swings that sword and sake bottle around. Working together, they get her pinned to the floor before dragging her out of the room.

“KyAAAA––––––!! C–––*–––C––– KKKKKKKKKKKKKKkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk–––––––––.”

Shumai-sensei’s vulgar scream fades away.

Whispers start going through the crowd as people start to recover from the shock.

“…… Getting good at Go makes a screw come loose ……”

“…… Why the heck does she even have a sword ……?”

“I heard she asked the Chinese head of state what the word for c*ck was in Chinese when she was over there, and their military nearly executed her for it ……”

“Too bad they didn’t finish the job ……”

Man, they’re railing on her. Not that I disagree.

“H-Hey, um ………… Big Sis?”

“……”

“You don’t have to take her seriously, you know? All that about …… c …… cks, and vi …… rginity. They’ve got nothing to do with Shogi at all. She’s just messed up in the head. There are plenty of very strong players who don’t have that kind of experience.”

“……”

“Y-You’ve got an important match coming up tomorrow, so just forget all this! It’ll be a distraction, so there’s no point, right? Your match is going to get a lot of attention, so you can’t afford to play half-hearted Shogi …… Ah! Well, um! Just don’t let that weird stuff she said get to you! Play the way you always play, that’s what I’m trying to say!”

“……”

I tried everything in the book to calm her down, but Big Sis won’t answer. Heck, she won’t even look up from the floor. Not that I blame her, no one would know what to think after getting that kind of “advice” so early on in the year ……

And so, the Kansai New Year’s Party ended on a chaotic note–––.

The day following the New Year’s Party.

A small army of reporters lined up outside the association spot me and move in all at once.

–––I knew I should’ve gone in the back door ……

Surrounded by cameras in the blink of an eye, I partially regret my decision.

I knew there’d be coverage ahead of time.

Because, today’s–––.

“This is the first Admission Exam the Sub League has held in forty-two years. You, as an examiner, will face off against Shouji Karako. What’s your state of mind?!”

“Mr. Karako will return to the Sub League should he defeat you in today’s match, Ms. Sora. Should he lose, his dream will be crushed for a second time. Do the stakes make this match feel any different from the others?!”

“Are you confident you can defeat a former Sub League 3-dan member who has been dominating amateur Shogi?!”

Their questions take many forms, but there’s only one answer I should give them.

“I want to play a match that current Sub League members can be proud of.”

With that, I lower my head just a bit in a short bow before finding a seam in the crowd of reporters and work my way into the building.

“…… Ice cold, per usual.”

“Well, she’s that way with everyone, yeah?”

“Chilled to the bone already. The poor guy doesn’t stand a chance.”

I hear everything they say, but I don’t care. I’m used to this.

I wave to the security guard and buy a sports drink from the vending machine.

Taking the elevator up to the third floor, I stop by the Player’s Room to put all my electronics in a locker: all part of my pre-match routine.

“Oh, Sora 2-dan. Good morning.”

Coming out of the Player’s Room, I run into Machi. She’s got her hair tied back today and is wearing a full suit. Must be in journalist mode.

She glances over my shoulder into the Player’s Room and says with a smirk, “Looks like the Ryuo won’t be coming today. Word is, he’s off to visit a shrine with his apprentices.”

“…… I know.”

Of course, I knew. I’m the one that told Yaichi, point-blank, not to come here today. The idea he would come in never crossed my mind. So irritating ……

Getting angry, I ignore everything else Machi says and go up to the arena alone.

A full-grown man is already waiting for me in the lower seat when I step inside.

Today’s opponent–––Shouji Karako amateur 3-dan.

Moto-shou.

Basically, he is an ex-Sub League member.

He was already gone by the time I got in, so I’ve got no idea how he plays but …… I know he joined when he was only fourteen and got all the way up to the highest Sub League ranking, 3-dan.

He was in the same year in school as the King: Mitsuru Oishi. Of course, they were in the Sub League together, too.

Even more surprising, he reached 3-dan before Oishi-sensei did, so I’ve got some idea of the kind of talent he has. He used to be one of the Shogi world’s rising stars ……

“Ah! Good morning!!”

Mr. Karako greets me with a big smile once he sees me. But that voice, this is a Shogi arena, not a sports bar. Keep it down.

“…… Please excuse me.”

I sit in the upper seat, not wasting a moment.

I’m a Sub League member. At the same time, while Mr. Karako used to be a 3-dan Sub League member and is more than twenty years older than me, he is an amateur right now. I outrank him for this match.

I was mentally prepared to sit here, but just in case he decided to sit in the upper seat to get under my skin, I was also prepared to sit in the lower seat if necessary.

The swarm of reporters that ambushed me outside come into the arena and Machi sits down in the journalist’s spot at the board side table to do her job.

The Admission Exam was created to give people who became too old for the Sub League a special chance to join the Sub League’s 3-dan Division.

They must have a certain winning percentage in amateur tournaments and defeat an examiner currently in the Sub League to qualify.

Although it’s an exam, it’s treated like a league match. The examiner’s record is affected by the results.

The two of us finish match preparations with more reporters watching us than show up at Women’s League title matches. All that’s left is to line up the pieces.

As I outrank him, I start reaching for the piece box sitting on the board.

“Oh, yes! Can I ask you something?”

Mr. Karako almost yells as if he only just remembered.

“……?”

I stop my hand just in front of the piece box.

He reaches for a bag sitting beside the board and says with an apologetic look on his face.

“Sorry about this, Ms. Sora. I’ve got a favor to ask you.”

“That being?”

“Would you mind using these pieces?”

Once I saw the small piece pouch Mr. Karako took out–––my blood runs cold.

–––Taikai goma: Parting Pieces.

My spirit shakes for the first time at the sight of them. The shock was like taking a slap to the cheek, my head wavering back and forth.

The Sub League used to have a tradition …… They’d give pieces to people who dropped out of the league as consolation.

They stopped doing it by the time I joined though.

No one knows why it disappeared.

Some say the Sub League grew too big and couldn’t afford making pieces for everyone who dropped out.

But, was there ever anyone who was happy to get them?

Some ex-members refused the pieces outright, some threw them across the arena and still others would burn them along with all their old notebooks and match records. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.

And at some point, that tradition disappeared altogether ……

When did it happen? The weird thing is: nobody knows.

Just like so many Sub League members who had their dreams crushed and dropped out of the league, it quietly disappeared …… without anyone noticing.

But this man here has those pieces.

“What’d you think? They’re not that bad of a set if I do say so myself.”

The pieces fall out of the pouch and scatter across the board.

One look at all those pieces, each one so worn that the corners have been ground down to smooth nubs, and I was immediately overwhelmed by Mr. Karako’s obsessive persistence.

–––A friendly looking middle-aged man.

–––One who once gave up on his dream of becoming a professional but is now on a tear through the amateur ranks.

–––He couldn’t give up on the dream entirely and is now fighting to reclaim it. A beacon of hope ……

That image of him disappeared like the morning fog.

Right now, the man I’m sitting with across the board …… is a current Sub League member.

A man who’s been suffering in the hell known as the Sub League all these years even after being forced out–––a Shogi Martian.

“What’d you say? Can we use these pieces?”

In front of a higher ranking member, all I can do is nod.

“……… Go ahead.”

“Thanks a bunch!”

Mr. Karako flashes a grin and pushes a King toward me.

“………”

It’s surprisingly cold to the touch ……

Just as my fighting spirit was starting to catch fire, it fizzles out in a cold chill.

Once the match got underway, my fingers felt frostbitten every time I touched those pieces, getting numb …… And slowly came to a stop.

That chill worked its way through me like poison.

Once the poison completely engulfed me–––I threw a piece in defeat.

Right in front of me, Mr. Karako presses a handkerchief against his face.

The reporters burst into the arena like an avalanche mere seconds after I gave up and lit up the place with camera flashes.

But rather than taking pictures of him, the cameras are aimed at me in the upper seat ……

“I really must say, that was quite the contest …… I didn’t think I had a chance until the very, very end. I truly believe lucky fingers won me the match …… This still doesn’t feel real ……”

He shakes like tears are coming.

There’s Machi’s voice. She must be doing the interview, “Mr. Karako, I’ve been informed that you worked as a businessman while also playing amateur Shogi after you left the Sub League …… Do you intend to continue doing both now that you’ve returned?”

“I’ve already resigned from my position. I know better than anyone that the Shogi world is an unforgiving place to people who try to do two things at once.”

Those words roll off his tongue without missing a beat.

It was like the dagger of defeat that had already pierced my heart was getting twisted deeper and deeper with each word.

Almost like he was calling me naïve because I’m doing both school and Shogi at the same time.

“Ms. Sora, thank you for the match! Let’s meet again in the 3-dan Division!”

“……… Yes.”

The reporters start pleading with us to shake hands because they want to get a picture. So I reach across the board and take Mr. Karako’s outstretched hand.

It’s bone dry, and cold.

––– …… He wasn’t nervous about playing against me at all, was he ……?

I didn’t think I had a chance until the very, very end.

Liar.

He knew he’d win long ago and was planning what to say during the interview this whole time.

How he’d …… try to cheer me up: the loser.

“It was just one match, but I can tell Ms. Sora has real talent! She’s much stronger than the people I faced my first time around in the 3-dan Division! With skills like hers, it’s just a matter of time before she becomes the first woman to join it. The fact that she’s only fifteen makes me wholeheartedly believe her becoming the first female professional Shogi player isn’t just some dream!”

Karako 3-dan plays to the cameras, pouring it on like Kansai people do, saying meaningless words while smiling from ear to ear.

“Then again, what do I know? I got into that division at fourteen and ended up dropping out!”

Ha ha! That got a laugh out of the reporters.

He knows that the more he talks me up, the more people are going to like him. He beat Ginko Sora to get back into the Sub League, and then becomes a pro. That story will sell …… He knows it will build up his image as a pro.

His sights aren’t set on the 3-dan Division, but after he makes it through to the pros.

He and I aren’t looking at the same thing.

Victory was all he thought about before our match. He saw that I was mentally weak, found his window and won just as he planned.

–––Because my opponent was ex-3-d ……

I wanted to kill the part of me that thought of that even for a second.

I open my arms and catch the fluffy golden angel running up to me.

“Ha ha ha! You look nice in a kimono, Charlette.”

“You know, Cha lubs kwimono!!”

“And you look great. Very, very cute, too.”

“Masta, hug!”

“Sure! Ha ha, look how high you are!”

“Squeeee♡♡♡”

I pick up Charlette, kimono and all, and spin her around like a merry-go-round as she happily laughs and squeals the whole time. Those long sleeves flap around behind her like angel wings.

It’s the day after the First Move Ceremony. I’m meeting up with the Grade School Practice Group members to visit a shrine during the New Year’s season, a Japanese tradition called hatsumoude.

“Charlette, have you ever been to a Japanese shrine around New Year’s?”

“Nwope. It’s Cha’s fwirst hwasumoodie.”

Then she blushes and starts twiddling her thumbs.

“You know? This is Cha’s fwirst time …… Cha’s gwad it’s with you, Masta!”

“Me too! It’s great to be with you, Charlette♡”

“Whaa♡” she smiles like a bundle of joy with that answer.

I knew she was cute but …… wow ……

Starting the year off with a big smile from Charlette like this, life is good. So good, it’s almost scary.

“Isn’t that nice, Master. You got to be Charlette’s first.”

Ai Hinatsuru smiles with approval. Though, she did just step on my foot …… With wooden geta sandals.

“Oh, by the way, Master. Did you know? This is our first hatsumoude, too.”

T-too good …… Terrifying ……

“Kuzuryu-sensei, happy new year to you.”

“Ah …… Same to you, Ayano.”

Walking up just behind Charlette, Ayano Sadatou appears in her own kimono and politely says hello.

“You looked great in nurse’s clothes, but a kimono isn’t half bad.”

“? What do you mean by …… nurse’s clothes?”

“Uhhh, just talking to myself ……”

I’ve got to be more careful. Again, I’m getting dreams mixed up with reality ……

Wanting to change the subject, I turn to talk with the girl standing next to Ayano.

“Hello there, Mio. Happy New Year.”

“Ha-p-p-y New Yeeear!”

Huh? She sounds pretty tongue-tied.

It’s like her tongue isn’t rolling like it should. I haven’t seen her this uptight since the day we first met. Fun times, but ……

“Kuzuryu-sensei, what shrine are we visiting today?” Ayano asks, her voice bubbling with excitement. I adjust Charlette in my arms and think for a moment.

“Good question. Most people think of Sumiyoshi-taisha and Ebessan for hatsumoude in Osaka, but ……”

“Ebwee …… saa?”

Charlette’s head tilts from side to side like a little seesaw. Adorable♡

“It’s actually called Toka Ebisu. Stores and shops set up booths along the street and call out to people passing by saying things like, We’re wheeling and dealing, come get your bamboo! and stuff like that. They hand out all sorts of lucky things for free like bamboo, old-style coins and fish like red snapper. So, you bring luck home.”

“Sounds like fun!” Ayano, from Kyoto, and Ai, from Ishikawa, say in unison as their eyes light up.

When push comes to shove, Osaka is a merchant’s town.

It’s a place where there are profit to be made when lots of people get together in the same place. Wheeling and dealing, as they say. Sumiyoshi and Ebisu are both gods of fortune and commerce. Hundreds of thousands of people come to pay their respects.

“It might be a bit too dangerous to go when it’s so crowded, though. Let’s go to one of the smaller shrines in the neighborhood.”

“Okay!”

I put Charlette down and take her hand as we set off for the closest shrine.

“……!”

Ai immediately grabs my other hand and holds on tight.

My first apprentice seems worried that her Master might get taken away by another student. As her Master, knowing she’s this possessive of me is a great feeling.

However.

–––She’s already a bona fide member of the Women’s League …… She’s got to start striking off on her own real soon ……

Ayano, walking up at the front of our group, turns around and says, “The shrine next to the Shogi Association in Tokyo is so convenient.”

“For sure. Pro players and Women’s League members visited Shogidou yesterday for the First Move Ceremony just like you did last summer.”

Pictures from both the Kanto and Kansai ceremonies are already up on the association’s homepage.

Right smack in the middle of this very Japanese-y ceremony are Ayumu and Ms. Shakando, sticking out like sore thumbs with their bizarre fashion sense. Seriously, it’s like they time-hopped in from medieval Europe to say hello ……

On a side note, Ms. Shakando will be fighting to defend her Women’s Legend title later this month.

Which is why the journalist casually asked Ayumu, “Did you pray for your Master’s victory?”

“Humph ……! For us, gods are not meant to be trifled with by offering prayers! Prayers themselves are nothing but goals to be reached! Besides, Master’s victory is assured by destiny. A single prayer would be meaningless …… Though, I did put coins in the collection box at the shrine just for the amusement! Just for fun!”

The first lame quote of the year. After all that, you went and prayed, huh?

“Ah! There’s the shrine!!”

Hardly anyone is ever around this small shrine, but it’s jam-packed today. It’s new year’s, so I shouldn’t be that surprised.

Once we’d lined up with everyone else and prayed at the shrine, I turned to the girls and clapped my hands together.

“All right! Shall we head over to do omikuji fortune-telling? My treat!!”

“Yaaay!!”

Drawing fortunes has to be the highlight of these shrine visits for kids.

Big Sis and I always pestered Master until we got to draw our own whenever we went to shrines with him at New Year’s.

Master is very competitive as well as superstitious, so he’ll keep drawing fortunes until he gets Best Luck. Plenty of players are like that.

The thing is that Big Sis always took mine by force whenever I got better luck than she did. A real demon, that one.

“Yay! Master, I got Best Luck!”

“Cha, Wucky?”

The grade school girls celebrate and complain about the fortunes they drew. They seem to be particularly interested in the Competition and Love categories. The fact that Ai is paying so much attention to the Fertility ranking is a little concerning ……

“Now then, what’s my luck looking like?”

“Is that supposed to be …… 吉? Maybe?”

吉 or Kichi, average, everyday luck, would make sense, but a line is missing. Maybe their printer was having issues? What does that mean for my luck this year?

Ai came over to show me her Best Luck fortune but sticks her head under my arm to get a look at the paper in my hand as I absentmindedly stare at it.

“Master? What’s wrong?”

“Ah. Just a printing error, I think but–––.”

“Huh?!”

Hm?! W-What’s got her bent out of shape?!

“S-Sorry …… It’s just, looking at that sideways …… is spells out ロリ in katakana ……”

“Holy crap …… Y-You’re right! It does say loli, doesn’t it?!!”

Take one vertical stroke out of that Chinese character and it turns into something eerily close to Lolita. That’s the first big discovery of the year.

Don’t tell me …… Even the gods are saying I have a Lolita complex now?! All the category details are pretty general, so why is the Marriage category specific enough to say: the younger the better?!

“Lollie? Masta, wha’s that?”

You! …… No matter what happened, I’d never say it.

Ayano does her best to hide the fact that she’s keeping her distance from me and works up the courage to ask, “U-Umm …… Kuzuryu-sensei? Would you like to draw another one?”

“…………… I’ll pass.”

I’d hate to draw something just as weird, so I’ll just leave this one here and go draw another fortune at a different shrine in a day or two ……

“I-I’ve got it! That’s enough omikuji for today. Let’s write some ema plates!”

I buy enough of the pentagon-shaped wooden plates for everyone as a way to change the subject and borrow a handful of permanent markers.

The girls were even happier to get these than their fortunes. They’re already writing.

Now, I’m the one who’s stuck.

“Hmmmmm? What should I write?”

I could just write “Defend my title!” if the Ryuo Title Match hadn’t happened yet and call it good. Unfortunately, they just ended.

My next goal would be to get promoted into a higher rank but …… Wanting to promote out of C-2 this year is a real boring goal for the Ryuo ……

Recently, it feels like there’s a hole in my chest, like a piece just popped out.

Thinking about it is just making me drowsy, so I just write down, “May my Shogi family stay healthy this year.” No one will have complaints about that.

Ai wrote, “May I always be together with Master♡”

As for Ayano, she wrote, “To get promoted in the Practice League.”

Charlette wrote, “Wear more kwimono!” She really seems to like wearing kimonos.

“Masta, whadda we do with ema?”

“We hang them up at the shrine. See all of them over there?”

“…… Masta, Cha can’t weach.”

“…… Okay, want me to pick you up?”

“Yaay♡”

I pick her up and hold her in my arms, so she can hang the plate herself. That’s the thing about ema, they don’t work unless you hang them with your own hands! She needed help!

“Oh, oh, oh! Master! I can’t reach, either!”

“Come again? Ayano’s not much taller than you, and she–––.”

“I can’t reach!!”

“……… Okay then.”

I lift my ten-year-old apprentice into the air. She’s not all that heavy, so it’s no big deal, but ……

“What did you write on the board, Mio?”

“M-Mine …… It’s a secret! A secret, okay?!”

Ayano goes up to talk with a surprisingly fidgety Mio a little way from us, but Mio hides the plate behind her back.

“Y-You know how it is! What you write won’t come true if you tell someone?! Ah, ha ha.”

Usually, Mio is the type who’d be peeking over shoulders saying, “What’d you write, huh, huh? Show me! Me? Oh, this is mine~” and almost forcing other kids to tell her what they wrote ……

I lean over and whisper into Ayano’s ear, “…… Did, something happen to Mio?”

“…… She’s been restless since this morning and acting strange all day ……”

In the end, Mio hung her ema far away from everyone else so that no one could see it.

“Thanks for having us!!”

“Eheehee♡ Welcome!”

Ai rushes inside the moment I unlock the door and greets everyone by sitting on her ankles and putting three fingers on each hand to the floor.

Before Ai showed up last year, this room hosted many Sub League members and young pro players for long, grungy all-nighters. People like Mr. Kagamizu and Sota would come over and we’d play Shogi and talk for hours and hours …… Big Sis was the only girl who’d ever step inside. Now, it’s budding with grade school girls.

“…… Lots can change in a year.”

Sure, I’ve gotten a lot of lip from the neighbors, but I couldn’t care less when I see these girls running around and having a great time. If that’s a Lolita complex, then fine, fine, I have one.

“Hey, everybody! I’ve got pictures from the trip to Hawaii and my hometown during the Ryuo Title Match …… Wanna see?”

“Yes, yes!!”

Everyone gathers around Ai as she opens the photos on her tablet and the girls start talking nonstop. The buds are blooming.

This isn’t a Shogi practice session anymore. It’s a girls’ party.

What’s more, the average age of the group is in single digits. It’s a little girls’ party.

“Well, I suppose it’s fine for today.”

I force a smile and head to the kitchen to get drinks and snacks for them. There are bound to be some cookies left over from Hawaii in there somewhere.

“This Hawaiian dress: it’s so cute!”

“Ehehe♡ It’s called a muumuu! Ayano, do you want to try it on?”

“May I?!”

That must be the dress that Master Kiyotaki bought for her with his spending money …… I knew that making his granddaughter and her friends happy was what Master wanted all along. It’s much more worthwhile than buying things in some mobile game on his phone.

“And that kimono is so beautiful!”

“That’s the one I wore at the Opening Night Party at my parent’s house!”

“It looks more suitable for a wedding reception than an Opening Night Party …… Dazzling …… ♡”

“Aweee~♡ Ayano, that’s too much♡♡♡”

She has a point, it felt like a wedding reception. Just thinking about it makes me break out in a cold sweat ……

“You know? Cha, Cha’s gowing to wear kwimono to get marrwied with Masta!”

“Sounds great! Where should we have the ceremony?” I come back into the tatami room and ask while picking up my future bride and spinning her around.

After refusing to take Charlette as my apprentice, I promised to take her as my wife.

Now that both of my apprentices are officially in the Women’s League, it’s about time I started preparing to keep my word!

“There was a chapel at the hotel we stayed at in Hawaii. It’d be easy to have a ceremony there for just the two of us–––.”

“Master? There isn’t a chapel in the world that would let you marry a six-year-old.”

“Ah, true.”

Ai is smiling, but she’s not. Scary.

In the middle of this lively girls’ party,

“…………”

Mio is standing off by herself and silently staring at the floor.

“Is there something wrong, Mio?”

Of course, I’m concerned. So I go sit next to her.

“You’ve been so quiet all day. Are you feeling all right? Or is there something on your mind?”

“………… Uhm …… The truth is ……”

I can tell there’s an argument going on in her head, her mouth opening and closing as she debates whether or not to say it. A few moments pass before she looks me square in the eyes.

“I …… I want to join the Women’s League!!” she blurts out like she’s been holding that in for far too long.

“Um! I …… I saw the Ryuo Title Matches on the Internet, saw how you and the Meijin play, Kujuryu-sensei …… What if, what if I could be in a big match like that! I know I’ll never be that good at Shogi, but …! But, I’m burning up inside ………… I want to join! I want to be in the Women’s League!!”

“……… So, that’s what’s been going on ……”

Praying so hard at the shrine, not letting anyone see what she wrote on her ema plate. This is why ……

The other girls had different reactions to Mio’s sudden confession.

Ai looks genuinely surprised.

I knew it is written all over Ayano’s face. Charlette looks a bit stunned, but maybe a bit more like the kid who wants to eat the last cookie in the cookie jar. Adorable.

As for me …… I’m fighting back tears of joy.

How could I not after hearing that my Shogi inspired her?

“So, I, um …… I wanted to ask you what I should do to join the Women’s League really fast …… What I should do to get much, much stronger ……”

“Mio, you’re still in grade school. I think already having a dan ranking in the Practice League shows you already have what it takes to join.”

“B-But! I’ll be a fifth-grader real soon …… And ……”

“And?”

“…… Ai and Ten-chan are already in the Women’s League ……”

Both Ai Hinatsuru and Ai Yashajin joined the Practice League after Mio.

My first apprentice only started playing Shogi a little more than a year ago.

Unfortunately, Mio isn’t grown up enough to realize that their talent is different from hers. Only seeing things objectively, she gets jealous of people who are much stronger than she is. Catching up would seem impossible, but she challenges them anyway.

Reckless? Maybe.

But that fire is exactly why I think Mio has a real chance of joining the Women’s League if she takes it seriously. So–––.

“…… Alright. Mio, I understand how you feel.”

I sit up straight and turn to face her.

“However, the first thing I want you to know is that an early debut isn’t everything. I want you to understand that diving in headfirst doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get stronger.”

“……?”

“There were special circumstances in Ai’s case. To be honest, I wanted to delay her Women’s League debut a little longer if there was more leeway, but that wasn’t an option.”

“Whaaat?! W-Why ……? Isn’t it better to get in as soon as you can?”

Mio is stunned. Ai looks at me with a start, too.

I can’t deny that youth is the best way to measure talent in the Shogi world.

Knowing her, the reason that Ai Yashajin didn’t want to apply to join the Women’s League right away was the fact that she’d become the youngest Women’s League player in history and she had a ton of attention–––.

“It’s the same for pros and Women’s League members, they have to retire if their winning percentage dips below a certain level. You know that, right?”

“Of course …… I know.”

“Do you know about Ms. Oga?”

“The lady in glasses? The chairman’s secretary.”

“That’s her. Now she works for the association, but she used to be in the Women’s League.”

Sasari Oga Women’s 1-dan.

As to why she retired–––.

“She made her debut as a first-year junior high school student, which is fine, but she clearly wasn’t ready. Since she was going to school as well, she didn’t have enough time for Shogi research …… The association offered her a job, so she decided to retire.”

She could’ve kept playing a little while longer because her record was still good enough to qualify at the time.

But Ms. Oga joined the Women’s League in the first place because she admired Chairman Tsukimitsu. If she could work alongside him at the association, she didn’t have to be a Women’s League player. Ms. Oga was out of the competitive scene in the blink of an eye.

She retired after six years in the league with an 1-kyu ranking, but a special rule allowed her to promote to 1-dan when she left.

“What makes life in the Women’s League difficult is that there aren’t as many matches as in the pros. Without as many league matches, there aren’t as many chances to improve your record. Above all, there are fewer opportunities to get stronger. That’s why you need to be as strong as you can be when you join the Women’s League to survive.”

Pros only have so many chances.

For competitors, taking advantage of those chances is everything.

I’ve got to be the best example. I became a titleholder because all of my victory stars built up in the Ryuo League. If I had the same number of stars spread out across the different leagues, I’d be nothing more than the Shogi world’s doormat. But I’m the doormat that took advantage of an opportunity and became one of the Shogi world’s top players.

That quality is called Competitive Strength in this world.

Since we only care about results here, getting good results shows your strength.

Even if we are at the mercy of the Shogi gods ……

“If you’re going to commit yourself to joining the Women’s League, I’m going to say something that might be hard to hear. Can you take it?”

“………… Yes! Please, let me hear it!!”

Sitting up straight as a board, Mio eggs me on.

“I …… I’ll take you to heart, Kujuryu-sensei!!”

Alright.

Now that I know for sure she’s 100 percent serious, I give her my opinion.

“Become the best in Japan.”

“The best …… in Japan?”

“I’m sure you know about the Elementary Meijin, right?”

“Y-Yes ……”

“Even if you can’t do it in grade school, you have chances in junior high and high school, too. Just become the best female amateur in Japan while you’re still in school. If you can get strong enough to win a tournament now, those skills will come in handy in the Women’s League.”

The main route for kids trying to become pros is joining the Sub League in grade school.

That’s why, except for the Elementary Meijin, their winning records as students don’t amount to anything.

On the other hand, plenty of Women’s League members did very well in the amateur ranks as students before joining. Since Practice League members are still classified as amateurs, they can hone their skills in that league as well as participate in amateur Shogi tournaments.

“This is just my opinion, but I think you have a real chance of becoming the best female amateur Shogi player in Japan if you start working at it as hard as you can right now, Mio.”

“Kujuryu-sense ……!”

“It should go without saying, but make sure you talk with your Master about this. If you’re going to become a pro, what your Master says becomes law. Actually, you should’ve talked with Kuresaka-sensei first, but–––.”

“S …… Sensei!”

“Yeah?”

“I love you!!”

“Say what?!”

The grade school girl I was giving advice to just said she loves me?!

“Alllllright now! Everyone, let’s play Shogi!!”

Completely ignoring the fact that I’m frozen in shock on the floor, Mio roles up her kimono sleeves and pulls out a Shogi board.

The new one that just got here.

“I’ll get real strong!! After all, I’ve got to become the strongest in Japan!!”

“Yes, Mio! That’s the spirit!!”

“Cha, Cha’s gonna be the bwest in Frawnce!”

“I can see it now, Charlette! The two of us standing on top of France and Japan! Yeah!!”

“Yay♡”

Now that Mio has a goal, the internal debate is gone.

Nothing’s changed about her from a moment ago. She’s not any stronger than she was.

But the difference between this committed Mio and her former self will be much easier to see in a week, in a month and certainly in a year from now.

People glow when they know exactly what they want to achieve.

“…… Grade schoolers are blinding,” I whisper to myself now that Mio has her sparkle back and a big smile on her face.

She’s found her goal.

–––Great, but …… what’s mine?

I defeated the Meijin and defended my title as Ryuo. What should I aim for next ……?

In all my years playing Shogi, this is the first time I felt this vague anxiousness. Ai seems to be feeling some vague anxiousness next to me, too.

“……… Mio …… How dare you use that as an excuse to tell Master you love him …… I should’ve known that you, too …… Now I’ve got another one to deal with …… Master, you darabuchi …………!”

…… What’s she hating on me for?

“W-Well, come on, everybody! It’s about time we played some Shogi! This is a practice session, isn’t it?! Yeah?! Yeah?!!”

“Grrrr~~~!!”

Ai puffs out her cheeks like an angry puffer fish. All she needs are the spines.

“Mio!”

“Yep!”

“I won’t lose!!”

“Yep?!”

Making that bizarre declaration, Ai sits down on the other side of the board from Mio, picks up a King, brings it down with a lot more force than she usually does–––

Snap!!

Slams it down on the board like issuing a challenge. That’s when.

Crreee–––––– …… kkk!

“Wha!”

That new sound spooked Mio so bad that she jumped clear into the air while still sitting on her ankles.

Then, she pointed at the board and screamed, “A-Ai …… You broke the board–––!!”

“Huuuh–––?!”

I lean in for closer look and …… there’s a craaack!

She put a lot more oomph in that snap than she needed to, but I never thought the board would break ……

“I ……… I’m so very soooo–––rry!!” Ai apologizes, tears flowing like waterfalls as she stays low to the floor but flips herself around to face me while maintaining the fully prostrated dogeza position.

“I-I …… I’ve done the unforgivable ……! That board was brand-new ……”

“Hrmm~~ ……”

I run my finger down the crack to check the damage.

“…… Well, can’t use it like this, that’s for sure.”

“Hic!”

That sounded like Ai caught a hiccup halfway out her throat.

“M …… Master? This, this board …… Wasn’t it …… Really expensive ……?”

“Hm? Yeah, because it’s a 7-sun tenchimasa made of hyuga torreya wood. Even the cheapest ones go for 5 million yen ……”

“Faa-mi-mi …… Faa-mi-mi-mi-mi ……!!”

“Now, what to do? First things first, I should take a few pictures and let them have a look …… Send it to the shop ……”

“I’m sorry! There’s no excuse for what I’ve done! I …… was too rough with it and ruined a very expensive Shogi board!!”

“Huh? Nah, it’s not–––.”

“T-There’s only one thing I can do …… Use my body to repay you ……!”

Slide.

Ai cuts me off and undoes the sash keeping her kimono on!

Then, in the splitting image of what she had just done.

“T-Then me, too! I offer myself as a thank you!!”

Slide!

“This is partially my fault, too …… And you gave me great advice, Kujuryu-sensei!!”

Mio springs to her feet, gives her obi sash a hard yank and spins like a top, more fabric coming loose every second.

It must’ve looked like fun because.

“Cha, too! Kwimono spin!”

“Huuh?! T-Then …… I as well ……”

Slide, slide. Charlette and Ayano start undressing. What’s going on?!

“Wa-wait, everyone! Stop! Stop! Once kimonos come off, they don’t go back on, so keep them oooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!”

Hatsumoude, first practice session and now first disrobing ……

The New Year’s Grade Schooler Practice Session ended on that strange note and I have no idea why.

“Bragging about your Lolita fever dream? You’ll rot my ears off, so spare me,” Ai Yashajin quips as I tell her about the Grade Schooler Practice Group incident during our review session after playing an instructional match.

Today is the first lesson of the year.

Since I wanted to wish Ai’s grandfather and my employer, Kouten Yashajin, a happy new year I thought it be a good time to visit the Yashajin Manor in Rokkousanroku, Kobe.

I saw her at the First Move Ceremony, so it hasn’t been all that long since I talked to her.

But, before that …… I didn’t see her much at all, if any, during the Ryuo Title Match. We went to register her for the Women’s League once it wrapped up, but she just said, “You won? Good for you,” when I saw her then.

Best case scenario, she might’ve been giving her Master some space because I was busy.

Then again, meeting up could’ve been so much of a hassle that she didn’t bother ……

“…… I’m worried about Ai clinging to me for too long, but I’m more worried about you not being close enough. Why don’t you drop this tough girl act and let me treat you every once in a while?”

“Because that will never happen!”

“Oh ……”

“I’m sure I’ve said this before, but I have no intention of playing nice with my rivals. I’ll do what’s absolutely necessary as a member of the Women’s League. However, the rest of my time is my own.”

“That’s cold. I fought off the chairman to make you a member of this family, didn’t I?”

“I have no interest in playing house,” she snaps. “I got a pretty good idea of that during the First Move Ceremony. The players here in Kansai feel much more like a family than Kanto players do. But, at the end of the day, everyone’s competing against each other, no? Helping each other out, being all buddy-buddy. That’s just an act. They’re just trying not to feel guilty every time they beat someone else.”

“Playing house, you say ……”

As her Master, that attitude makes me nervous.

I’ll admit that stubbornness is perfect for a competitor. It would’ve been fine back in the day.

But practice groups with other players are part of modern Shogi. Lone wolves are destined to be left out in the cold.

“…… Although, things are changing bit by bit these days ……”

“What’s changed?”

“Huh? Nothing …,” mumbling, I reflect a bit more on Ai’s proudly independent personality.

The reason she has such a reaction to the word family might be related to the fact that she lost her parents.

“I meant to ask. Did you tell your parents you joined the Women’s League?”

“I visited their graves, yes.”

“Good …… Do you think they said anything? Congrats, maybe?”

“Nothing at all. Ghosts don’t exist, either.” She shrugs and continues. “All that I have is what they left behind …… Memories, heirlooms, that kind of thing.”

“Do you still have the equipment your parents used? Boards or pieces?”

“Grandfather disposed of them. He said I looked sad whenever they were used.”

“So, the ones you have now–––.”

“He bought a new set. It feels just the same.”

“I see ……”

“Grandfather disposed of more than just the board and pieces. He put every single one of their notebooks and old match records into their caskets to be burned along with them. I don’t remember much before or after the funeral, but if you’re curious then Akira–––.”

“Ah, no! Sorry I asked.”

Apologizing for making her relive painful memories, I change the subject.

“I’ve got it! Now that you’re a Women’s League member, I need to get you a gift–––.”

“I don’t need anything, so don’t bother.”

“Really? How about some customized pieces to mark the occasion?”

“High-quality boards and pieces have no connection to Shogi level.”

“Well, having high-quality boards and pieces will make you want to practice more so they don’t go to waste. What do you think about that?”

“Doesn’t matter. I practice every day regardless.”

She does ……

“I want to be very strong. Talent and skill aren’t something someone can just give you. So, I don’t need anything.”

“Is that so? Then, you want to get stronger, yeah?”

I nod as I put away the pieces.

“In that case, it’s about time you made your debut. You’re qualified enough as it is.”

“? If you’re talking about my first Women’s League match, it’s not for quite a while yet.”

“I’m not talking about a match.” Grinning, I say, “There’s a special place where only pros and Sub League members are allowed inside–––I’ll take you to the Kansai Association’s Player’s Room.”

I climb the stairs to the association’s third floor where an older gentleman greets me.

“Mr. Mine …… Good morning.”

He’s the most experienced staff member at the Kansai Shogi Association.

He’s watched over Yaichi and I since we were little with a friendly grin. We call him Principal Mine behind his back.

“You’re early today. Recording?”

“A placement match. The A rank one.”

“Ahh, that one’ll last into the night for sure.”

He feels sorry for me.

Of course, he knows I played pitiful Shogi during the admission exam the other day, but I appreciate that he’s letting it be.

The most important job for any Sub League member is being a match recorder.

Professional and Women’s League matches are always recorded. The one who does it is the match recorder.

It’s boring, watching other people play from right next to the board. As a player, it can be humiliating. But it’s been considered to be the best training for a long, long time now.

Thinking right along with the players, close enough to hear them breath.

There’s a lot to gain from the experience, the stronger the players are, and the match recorder is allowed to join in the analysis during the review session once the match is over.

Compared to Kanto, where there are tons of matches going on, Sub League members in Kansai have to fight for the position. We can’t afford to turn down these opportunities just because recording is boring.

The recorder does a lot more than just write down each move. They’re in charge of tracking waiting time, reading the countdown, as well as prep before the match and clean-up after it. It’s a busy job. Recently, match recorders use tablets as well, so they need to be technologically literate on top of everything else ……

It’s been two days since I lost to Mr. Karako.

I’ve come back to the association to be a match recorder. To get stronger.

“I wanted to be the recorder for this match no matter what. Everyone wanted it, so we had to settle it with a piece flip ……”

“Oishi-sensei is playing, yes? The Worldly Maestro has a big following. His King Title Defense Match will be starting soon, but all those match recorder shifts filled up right away. Got your eye on Oishi-sensei, do you, Ginko?”

“…… Yes.”

Looking away, I nod.

“Who’s he playing against? I’ve forgotten.”

“The Crown.”

“Ahh …… him.”

Mr. Mine looks like he doesn’t know what to say.

“Yes, that’s sure to be an interesting match. The Crown …… I don’t mean any ill will against him, but it’s very difficult to tell what he’s thinking.”

“…… I will be extra polite.”

“Though, I’m glad you’re the match recorder for that one. Your tea is superb.”

“Thank you …… very much.”

They just make a big batch of tea in Kanto and share because there are so many people. But since the match recorders prepare tea for the players here in Kansai, the quality depends a lot on who makes it. Mess up and the players will demand you make a new pot or, if they get really frustrated, the players will sometimes do it themselves.

It’s just …… I have mixed feelings about being complimented on my tea.

The faster a Sub League member rises, the less time they have to be a match recorder. They get to the pros without having any real idea how to make good tea. Exhibit A: Yaichi.

“By the way. It’s a weekday, so shouldn’t you be in school?”

“It’s the school’s Foundation Day.”

“Is that right? Your school sure has a lot of Foundation Days, Ginko.”

“…… Today is the real one.”

One thing about the Principal is he always knows when I’m lying.

He only lets me get away with it because he likes my enthusiasm for Shogi.

I’ve heard this kind of thing won’t fly in Kanto anymore, but Kansai still values the grit and determination it takes to get muddy.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

“Yes. Have a good day.”

I lower my head before going to the fifth floor.

First, I line up a board and floor cushions in the middle of the Onjyoudan no Ma and then set up a long desk where I’ll sit to do the recording. Quite the task when you aren’t that strong to begin with like me.

“Whew …… That should do it.”

Next, I get the recording paper, waiting time tracking chart, tablet and everything else I’ll need ready.

The only thing left now is the pieces.

I start pulling out pieces one at a time and wiping them down with a bone-dry cloth.

First up, the King for the upper seat. Then the other King …… There’s a specific order already set in place. No one’s going to get mad at me for not following it, though.

“But …… the Shogi gods are watching.”

Saying that myself without thinking about it, I make sure every surface of each piece is spotless, not just the top and bottom.

Once that was done, I move onto the board.

Never sit in the upper seat to wipe it down, always the lower seat. …… Because the Shogi gods are watching.

The board clean, I set the piece box in the center. That’s when I realize someone’s behind me.

“Ah! …… Good morning.”

In a bit of a panic, I get off the spot and give a deep bow.

A tall, lanky man looks down at me the whole time.

“……”

He acknowledges I’m in the room with a slight dip of his head, not even a word. A moment later, it was like he forgot I even existed, sitting down where I was just a moment ago …… in the lower seat.

But, of course I know his face. I knew about him by the time I could crawl.

There are seven major titles in the Shogi world. He has one of them, Crown, and currently holds an A rank. He is among the elite pros.

Considered to be one of the S rank players because of his title and ranking, people think of him as next in line to the Meijin when it comes to Shogi world dominance. A prodigy among prodigies.

But this person fell from that spot once before.

He lost his title, his A rank, his pride and reputation as a player, everything …… Nearly his life, too.

And now, he has returned.

More than just returned, he’s much stronger than before. But at the same time, he seems to have lost a lot more than he did on his first rise to A.

There’s still more than thirty minutes before the match. Feeling awkward, I come up with an excuse to leave my seat.

“…… I’ll prepare tea.”

No response.

––– …… Sure lives up to his quiet reputation.

On my way to the supply room, I take a quick glance through the sliding door. He’s sitting there with his back to me.

Totally silent, I feel like I’m watching a machine boot up as he starts thinking through his strategy.

It’s not Oishi-sensei’s Shogi.

Today, I’m here because I wanted to see this man’s Shogi up close and personal.

There has to be a way to get stronger …… How he went beyond human limits has to be hidden in his Shogi somewhere.

It’s just parents taking their kid to the park for the first time, but the kid can have all sorts of social problems later on if things go south that day. It’s an important event for all mothers raising kids.

Today is just as important, and I’ve got to face it head on.

“A-Almost time …… Is it really okay ……?”

I’ve been arguing with myself, going back and forth since around the time elementary school lets out while pacing around the Shogi Association entrance. Turning back around, a woman coming down the stairs says hello.

“Is something the matter, Kuzuryu-sensei? You seem a lot more restless than usual.”

“M-Ms. Mato ……”

It’s the Shogi journalist, Mato.

She’s actually a Women’s League title holder known as Machi the Tormentor, Yamashiro Ouka Machi Kugui.

Normally, she’d greet me with, “Salutations,” or some strange word in the Kyoto dialect. On the days she’s in work mode, on the other hand, she wears a nice suit and makes a conscious effort to use words everyone is used to. To be blunt, I wish she were always like this. Plus, those massive boobs fighting back against that constrictive suit is always a sight to see …… Mouthwatering.

H-Hold up! Now’s not the time for that.

“T-The truth is …… I’m going to take my apprentices to the Player’s Room for the first time today ……”

“Ahh, it’s their Player’s Room debut. A big day indeed.”

Ms. Mato nods with understanding.

The Player’s Room itself is a long, rectangular room on the association’s third floor.

It’s basically a room only for pros, Women’s League members, Sub League members, and Shogi journalists.

While it’s a battleground where the next generation of Shogi players collide from dawn until dusk, it’s also one of the few places where we can socialize.

“Those apprentices of yours are Women’s League members now. They qualify to go inside but …… Simply going in the room is pointless if you don’t have an opponent.”

“Yes! That’s exactly it!”

Joining the Women’s League means they can come and go as they wish.

But that doesn’t mean they’ll always have a place there.

Just like a park, going won’t make any difference if the people there don’t accept you. What I’d like to have happen is the two of them get to the point where they can go whenever they want and always have someone to practice with but ……

“What was your debut like, Ms. Mato? Did everything go well?”

“I fit right in because I had already met many of the Sub League members when they taught at children’s classrooms or hosted practice sessions that I went to when I was younger.”

Strictly speaking, Sub League members can’t have part-time jobs.

The exception would be work they get through the association, jobs that involve Shogi.

Whether it’s children’s classes, helping out at Shogi events, going to the association’s Shogi classroom, buying something at the gift shop, or even doing things for the Practice League, there are plenty of chances to interact with Sub League members if you play Shogi at the association.

Unfortunately …… the Ai’s don’t have that advantage.

“Miss Hinatsuru and Miss Yashajin each became Women’s League members less than a year after first coming to the association. That’s a very short amount of time. I doubt they’ve had much chance to speak with members of the Sub League.”

“Yes, yes! That’s it exactly!”

“And then there’s the fact that you’re so protective of them, Ryuo. They may have difficulty forging their own paths.”

“D-Does it look that way ……?”

“Indeed, it does.”

She nods a very definitive yes.

“In fact, you spend so much time lording over them that there are quite a few Sub League members who are concerned they’ll face the Master’s wrath should they even try to talk with one of your apprentices, let alone challenge them to a game of Shogi.”

“J-Just me being around …… could ruin their debut ……?”

“With your lol …… No. They believe you are taking extra special care of your apprentices.”

“You were about to say Lolita complex, weren’t you?! Don’t tell me the Sub League members all think of me that way?!”

“So, what was your debut like, Ryuo?”

Well, someone sure wants to change the subject.

“Me? It went well because Mr. Kagamizu was there to help me out but ……”

“Do you know someone who had a bad debut?”

“……… Big Sis ……”

“Oh yes …… That’s right ……”

Big Sis first came to the Player’s Room when she was about four, more than ten years ago.

The vibe in there was a lot more relaxed back then, closer to a break room than a Shogi training ground. Of course, there were always matches going on, but people would be chatting right next to the boards or watching a baseball game on TV …… So, Master took Big Sis and I there like it was a field trip to observe. I still remember being extremely excited to go.

Being a boy might’ve helped, but I found an opponent right away and he agreed to a handicapped match. We played the Sub League’s calling card, ten-second Shogi. It goes without saying that I got completely destroyed, but I had a blast.

On the other hand, Big Sis is a girl and a very shy one at that. She didn’t fit in at all.

She hid behind Master the whole time, glaring at other people like a cat on high alert. That day happened to be one of the few that Oishi-sensei was at the association. She sought him out and said, “You Oishi?” before going in for the, “Leave my Master alone!! Ranging Rook players should all just disappear!!” attack. That incident was her debut.

Though, it was the best she could’ve asked for in terms of being remembered ……

“…… It’s bad enough to stick out, but she made an enemy out of the entire Ranging Rook party and the Crush Ginko Sora Group got created all because of that debut ……”

“Yes, that was around for a while.”

“I don’t want my apprentices to go through the same thing! …… Think about it. Lady Ai Yashajin’s arrogance is just like Big Sis and Ai Hinatsuru is just as hard-headed ……”

“…… Same goes for their affection for the Ryuo.”

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“Nothing for you to worry about. I was speaking quietly so you wouldn’t hear.”

Ms. Mato’s lips curl into a grin.

“If you’re so concerned, why not wait for another day? You can do more preparation ……”

“Oh, I’ve prepared, all right! Thoroughly! This is as perfect as it’s going to get!”

“How so?”

“I chose today because Big Sis is busy working as a match recorder, so I know for a fact she won’t come to the Player’s Room! Their debut has to be today!”

“Yes, I see. Today is the only day.”

Putting my apprentices in the same narrow room as Big Sis would be the same as putting two poisonous insects in the same box. One of them will die. Possibly everyone, if things get bad enough.

That’s why I want to get their debut out of the way while the silver-haired troll is busy ……

“Wait, I’ve got it! Would you take my apprentices to make their Player’s Room debut, Ms. Mato?!”

“You’re asking …… me?”

“Look, you and Ryou Tsukiyomizaka spend so much time in there, you practically own the place?! With you on their side, my apprentices will be accepted right off the bat!”

“What do you think I am, a prison guard ……?”

“Same difference?! Please, do this for me! I promise I’ll find a way to pay you back double!!”

I clamp my hands together and lower my head, begging for help.

But.

“I refuse.”

“Why?!”

“Can you blame me–––?”

She takes off her glasses and leans in right next to my ear to say, “…… You’re putting more priority on those girls than yours truly.”

After feeling her lips brush against my ear, she gives me a captivating smile before buying two bottles of tea from the vending machine and going back upstairs.

I space out, completely lost in her provocative aura. A jolt from inside my pocket brings me back to reality.

“Met Ten-chan at Fukushima Station!”

A message from Ai ……

“Hello there.”

I casually say, stepping inside.

Three pairs of Sub League members are doing practice matches but not a single one acknowledges me, the Ryuo. This is a space where that kind of thing is allowed.

A room where Shogi is even more respected than the people who play it–––the Kansai Shogi Association Player’s Room.

“Hey. Living up to your status as a titleholder by being fashionably late, I see.”

“Yaichi♡”

The only Sub League members to return my greeting were sitting on opposite sides of an analysis board at the far end of the long table.

Hiuma Kagamizu 3-dan and Sota Kunugi 2-dan. There’s nearly twenty years between them, but they’re good friends.

I wave my restless apprentices to come inside.

“Come on. Stop sputtering in the hallway and say hello.”

“M …… May I come inside ……?”

“…… Pardon the intrusion.”

The Sub League members in the middle of matches glance up for a moment when the two grade school girls step through the doorway but look back at their boards just as quickly. Shogi gets more respect in this room than grade schoolers, probably one of the only rooms like it in the world ……

“Well, well. Who have we here? Come on over, you two.”

Picking up on the situation, Mr. Kagamizu smiles and waves at them.

As their Master, I put my hands on the backs of their heads and force Ai and Ai to bow.

“Today is their Player’s Room debut ……”

“N-Nice to meet you!”

“Watch it! I can bow on my own, thank you very much! I’m not a child!”

Ai Hinatsuru goes along with it and then takes my hand with a tight squeeze once I let her head back up, but Ai Yashajin swats my hand away. Well, their personalities are coming through loud and clear.

Mr. Kagamizu and Sota say with a hint of nostalgia, “Ha ha ha. Well, everyone gets a bit edgy on their Player’s Room debut.”

“Very true. I was so nervous on my first day.”

“No, Sota, you were completely relaxed.”

“Was I? I don’t remember.”

Sota giggles. He is so easy-going it’s hard to believe he’s only eleven.

“Your timing couldn’t be better. Sota and I were analyzing today’s match, but it’s slowed to a crawl. Today being your debut and all, I suppose I could fill in as your opponent.”

Mr. Kagamizu turns to face Ai Yashajin.

“Miss Yashajin. How about a match?”

He reaches out like asking her to dance.

Sota tilts his head like something doesn’t make sense.

“Why would you ask her?”

“Hm? Oh, well …… She’s perked my interest.”

Hearing that, Ai Yashajin locks eyes with him and says, point-blank, “Do you …… have a Lolita complex?”

“Why would you jump to that conclusion?!”

“It’s not that much of a stretch. You and my Master are close friends, yes? That means you would have similar interests ……”

Hold on, is she saying that I like little girls?!

“D-Don’t be so rude, Ai! You just got invited to play against a Sub League 3-dan! Be respectful and learn what he’s willing to teach!”

“………”

She looks back at him, her eyes scanning Mr. Kagamizu from head to toe.

“How old are you, exactly? Somewhere in your late twenties, yes?”

Out of everything she could say, why’d she have to go there?! Come ooooon!!

“Being 3-dan means nothing if you’ve been stuck in the Sub League for that long. Clearly, your Shogi has flaws and I don’t want to pick them up. If there were someone here with something to teach me, it’d be him. Kunugi 2-dan …… was it?”

“I don’t mind at all.”

Sota nods right away.

Mr. Kagamizu forces a grin and lets Ai Yashajin sit down in his seat. I lower my head to him and give her a sharp glare, but the Master’s fury is nothing but a summer’s breeze to the Lady. Yeesh ……

Sota looks up at me and asks, “How shall we play this match?”

“Piece flip,” says Ai before I can respond. Ooph ……

She’s saying that she’s on the same level as a Sub League 2-dan. Most people would think she’s let all her victories against Women’s League members go to her head but …… That’s not it. That arrogance is Lady Ai Yashajin in a nutshell.

“…… She went against Kanto Sub League member Karen Noboryou 2-kyu in the Mynavi Finals and played a perfect match. I don’t think she’ll embarrass herself playing without a handicap.”

“Wow. That’s impressive.”

Sota smiles as I explain.

Even Ai wasn’t about to take the upper King for herself or do the piece flip, so at least she’s showing a bit of respect. Ending up on defense, Ai starts the match by pressing the chess clock switch. She’s going into this match ready to play. Not only is the girl confident she can hold her ground against a 2-dan, she’s gunning for the win. The air is so thick it stings. Ai Hinatsuru tightens her grip on my hand.

The chess clock counting down, Sota looks up to say something before making the first move.

“Miss Yashajin.”

“What?”

“What would you consider to be a meaningless move to open a match?”

“Huuh?”

“A move that wastes the advantage of going first, like passing.”

“Why are you asking now ……? 3 Eight Gold, maybe?”

“Okay then. Any others?”

“How should I know? Something like 7 Eight Gold?”

Snap.

Sota makes his first move. Ai’s eyes snap open like a cat.

“Wha ……!?”

His opening move–––3 Eight Gold.

“Do you think you’re being funny ……?”

The corner of Sota’s mouth curls into a grin. Even Ai’s pupils are flared all the way open. This kid is fearless.

“…………”

Ai then moves the Pawn in front of her Rook, bent on making him regret that taunt by hitting hard and fast.

Now, what’s Sota going to play for his second move–––?

“What?!”

That wasn’t just Ai Yashajin.

In addition to Mr. Kagamizu, Ai and myself watching the match, the other Sub League members playing Shogi next to them stop in the middle of their match to gawk.

–––7 Eight Gold.

Sota opened with the two moves that Ai said were a waste. In other words, he passed on his first two moves.

“……………… You will die ……”

That wasn’t one of her sharp quips.

Her voice dropped so low it sent chills down my spine. Her eyes are locked on the board, but that voice is hell-bent on murder. She then moves her Pawn one space further forward as if thrusting a blade toward her opponent’s chest.

Meanwhile, Ai Hinatsuru blinks a few times looking at the early game formation.

“Fuwawa! It looks like his side of the board is saying \(^o^)/ hurray!”

“Yes …… It sure does ……”

3 Eight Gold doesn’t exist as an opening move in pro league matches. The Golds are the key to defense, so moving both of them away from the King at the very beginning is so pointless that no one would actually do it.

Yes …… No one would play Shogi like that. No person would anyway.

Ai set out to punish those moves for violating the standards and Shogi theory itself.

But.

“H-How ……?!”

She ran out of attack options at around the 70th move.

Kangire. It means her attack has failed and she’s out of offensive options.

Sota saw the all-out assault coming and easily dodged everything she threw at him before neutralizing the threat.

This would normally be where you’d throw in the towel, but–––.

“…… I won’t let it end like this!!”

Ai grits her teeth and shifts her Rook to the center of the board in a defensive shift. She’s going back to what she does best, defense, and plans on waiting until Sota makes a mistake ……

“………”

Sota picks up a piece from his piece stand and starts twirling it his fingers.

It’s almost like he’s playing with it to get a reaction out of her.

“Here, here, here ……”

My other apprentice starts rocking back and forth next to me. She must’ve picked up a checkmate’s scent.

“Here, here, hereherehereherehereherehere–––.”

Snap!!

Sota stops playing with a piece and smacks it down the board while Ai Hinatsuru was still swaying.

“?!”

My first apprentice and I stare at the board in disbelief.

–––Before Ai could finish reading?!

Every move Sota made from then on happened without a single second coming off the chess clock …… Ai’s King didn’t stand a chance.

Yeah, he read through all the way to the end faster than anyone else, including me.

Her King backed all the way into the corner, Ai ground her teeth and threw a piece in frustration.

“Khh!! …… There’s nothing left.”

“Hm? What’s not left?”

“I’m saying I lost, okay?!!”

“Haha. Thank you.”

The corner of his mouth curling up again, Sota bows and says, “Just to let you in on the secret, I was planning to open with 3 Eight Gold from the start.”

From the start ……?

“Opening with 3 Eight Gold makes people suspicious …… But bring it up like that, and the first thing most people come up with is 3 Eight Gold or 7 Eight Gold.”

A simple trick once you know how it works.

Ai thought she came up with 3 Eight Gold on her own, but actually Sota made her say it. Then she jumped right into the trap that he set for her ……

“I get it. You riled up my apprentice so that you could control her moves.”

“Yes. Seeing her look down on Mr. Kagamizu like that didn’t sit well with me and I can’t let her think all of us are weak just because she defeated a Kanto Sub League 2-kyu.

“……!!”

Sota has a cute baby face but is roasting her alive. Ai Yashajin bites her lip to endure the pain.

However, the real pain was about to hit. He looks at her with all seriousness.

“Although, I personally think that 3 Eight Gold and 7 Eight Gold are the best opening moves.”

“3 Eight Gold, the best move ……?”

Of course, hearing that is surprising for me. But for Ai after losing like that, it was like he was calling her dumb right to her face. The girl’s eyes get sharper with each passing second. This could be very bad.

“Ahh …… Well, yeah.”

Caught in an extremely awkward silence, I try to wrap this up by force.

“I think both of you have a better idea how good the Sub League is, as well as how deep Shogi theory can go! You can play against strong players just by coming in here, so it’s up to you to take advantage of this opportunity–––.”

“Master.”

“Hm? What is it, Ai?”

“Do professional Senseis come here a lot, too?”

“Yes, they do. Most of them are younger players like me, so I think it will be easy for you to play against them once you get used to coming here.”

Ai’s face lights up as she takes my hand.

“That means you come here a lot, right, Master?!”

“? Well, yeah, I guess.”

“Okay, okay. Then I want to play practice matches against you!”

“Come again? Me?”

“Master is the Ryuo, so Master is the strongest, right? In that case, I want you to be the one to teach me! I can learn more from you than from anyone else! I want you to be my Player’s Room debut opponent, Master!!”

“Ohh? …… Huh? Say what now?”

I brought her here to encourage her to strike out on her own …… But now, I’ve promised to play against her. How’d it turn out like this?

I only came here to make sure my apprentices’ Player’s Room debuts went well–––.

“………… He will die …… I’ll see to that ……”

Rather than make some friends, Ai Yashajin is fuming.

“From now on, we can play at the association, too! Not just at home! More, we can play so much more! Master, let’s play Shogi♡♡♡”

Ai Hinatsuru is even more clingy than she was before.

Disaster!

Their Player’s Room debut was a total disaster!!

“Ummm …… Hmm …… Well ………”

With everything I’ve planned backfiring, what’s the right thing to say to my apprentices? I’m completely lost and can’t see which way to go anymore.

And, there’s a second important debut I want these two to have today ……!

Think!

There has to be a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat–––!!

“O-Oh! I almost forgot! You can watch the league matches happening on the fourth and fifth floors in real time right here in the Player’s Room!”

“So? I can see updates on my phone anytime I want.”

“Hold up! That’s just data posted to the live blog!! Here, you can watch a feed from the ceiling camera in the arena! It’s live!”

Desperate to spark Ai Yashajin’s interest after she shot down my first attempt, I go to the monitor in the back of the room and show her how to use it.

“It’s an IP camera, so everything’s hooked up to a local network. You can see every match going on in Tokyo, too, not just Osaka. And see? If there isn’t a match going on, it just shows the tatami mat.”

“Well …… That is interesting.”

“I know, right?! The Player’s Room is awesome, yeah?! Yeah!!”

I talk up the Player’s Room in a last-ditch effort to make her like this place.

But, it turns out I didn’t have to because both the Ai’s are completely entranced by what’s on the screen.

There’s only one match going on in Kansai today.

Since it has the most waiting time out of all league matches, this match will probably go late into the night. It’s early evening, and only now on the twenty-fourth move, are pieces beginning to collide. Talk about a snail’s pace.

Both players are being cautious …… But, there’s a good reason for it.

Best of Seven A Rank Placement Match–––King Mitsuru Oishi vs. Crown Yo Okito.

“It-it’s a match between titleholders ……!”

“The preliminaries for the King League are right around the corner. He can’t afford to lose this match ……”

Looking at the information on the screen, both my apprentices sound like they’re on the edge of their seats.

This Shogi is unusual, as well.

“Opposing Rook …… In a match like this?” says Ai Yashajin as she leans in close to the screen.

“…… The strategy the old lady used against the Women’s Legend.”

Old lady = Keika.

“That’s right. Even for Ranging Rook, chaos can break out at any time. Mr. Oishi likes power struggles where a bit of worldly intuition can tip the match in his favor but …… What do you think, Mr. Kagamizu? How’s his Opposing Rook?”

“Unique, for sure.”

As a fellow member of the Ranging Rook party, Mr. Kagamizu is an avid follower of the Worldly Maestro. He comes to the association for every single one of Mr. Oishi’s matches. I’m sure that he and Sota were analyzing this match before we came in.

“It’s not unheard of to start with Goki-Central and transition into Opposing Rook, but Oishi-sensei almost never plays that way.”

Ai Yashajin looks up at me and asks, “Is he trying to throw off his opponent?”

“That’s part of it, but this time–––.”

The match progresses …… and my mind speeds up.

My brain goes from a sleep-deprived haze to firing on all cylinders.

Mr. Oishi’s creativity has sparked my Shogi sense.

There’s nothing I can do about it, but this spark from the outside flips the switch and all sorts of ideas start running through my head–––all the possible future paths this could take hit me all at once.

Shogi …… won’t stop ……!

“…… Let’s keep talking about it downstairs.”

“Downstairs?” the girls say at the same time.

The truth is that I set up another debut for them, not just the Player’s Room.

“Master? What’s downstairs?”

“Stop acting all high and mighty and say it already.”

My apprentices want to know, and I give them the answer.

“A very important job for Women’s League members–––providing commentary at a Shogi big board.”

Microphone in hand, Mr. Kagamizu looks right at home in front of the crowd gathered in the second-floor classroom.

Meanwhile, Ai Yashajin is giving me a piece of her mind in the stairwell that connects the classroom to an emergency exit downstairs.

“…… I haven’t heard a thing about this!!”

“Of course not. I didn’t tell you.”

“And why didn’t you?!”

“You would’ve found a way out of it if I told you in advance, right?”

There’s a saying: Lions throw their cubs into the abyss.

That’s exactly how I feel right now. The only way to get good at public speaking is to go out there over and over to get used to it. Providing commentary is an unavoidable part of being in the Women’s League. The earlier my apprentices start, the better.

“Unnnn~ …… I-I’m so nervous!”

Ai Hinatsuru is straightening her hair with her hands, fidgeting like a scared puppy.

At the same time, Ai Yashajin is lashing out at me with all her anger and frustration.

“You piece of trash! Only the lowest piece of filth would spring this on someone out of the blue!”

“Thanks. What a compliment ……”

I peek outside the emergency exit door to get a look at the classroom.

The usual tables and Shogi boards are gone. Rows of folding chairs have been set up in their place. Mr. Kagamizu, Sota and other Sub League members have set up the big board. There’s already a crowd of people sitting down.

Mr. Kagamizu glances in my direction before starting the introductions.

“Today’s analysis will be provided by Ryuo Yaichi Kuzuryu. And, our first commentator––.”

That’s our cue.

I take Ai Hinatsuru’s hand, open the door all the way and pull her out of the stairwell landing that is serving as our green room.

Mr. Kagamizu’s amplified voice echoes throughout the classroom.

“Our first commentator is one of the Women’s League’s newest additions, Ms. Ai Hinatsuru Women’s 2-kyu!”

Clap, clap, clap–––!!

“Fuwawa …… T-Thank you for having me!!”

Greeted by a warm round of applause, Ai throws herself into a bow so fast her forehead hits her knees. Flexible and adorable.

“While I’m sure she doesn’t need any introduction for everyone in the audience today, Hinatsuru Women’s 2-kyu is the Ryuo’s first apprentice. It just so happens that she’s making her commentary debut today! You chose a time to come to the association, folks! Sit back and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

“Yes, she’s new to this, so please go easy on her.”

I pick up right after Mr. Kagamizu’s announcement and start the analysis.

Ai takes her spot on the left side of the big board and I’m on the right, the usual arrangement for the commentator and analyst.

Except Ai is so nervous that her eyes are locked firmly on me rather than the audience. I swear, she looks like a frightened puppy begging for help.

–––This’ll get awkward if the audience picks up on how nervous she is ……

Breaking the ice with a bit of friendly banter and calming her nerves is my job as her Master.

“Well, Ai …… Oh, wait, I should call you Miss Hinatsuru up here, shouldn’t I? Otherwise, it’ll be like the two of us are just talking at home.”

Ahahahaha ……

That got a few chuckles from the crowd. Progress. Just need another push!

“Miss Hinatsuru, it’s only been a little more than a year since you started playing Shogi and here you are making your big board commentator debut. Already Women’s League 2-kyu, you must be amazingly talented!”

“Fwhee?! I …… I um …… I still don’t believe I became a Women’s League player so quickly ……”

“I see. So, what you’re saying is, your Master is a great teacher.”

Hah!!

That one hit home! The audience is all warmed up!

“Tell me, Miss Hinatsuru, have you had much of a chance to watch big board analysis? Your rise was so fast I’m not sure you’ve had much of a chance to see one live.”

“A-Actually …… N-Not much ……”

Ai looks at the floor, unsure of herself.

“But, I have seen you do it before, Master.”

“Oh? Where?”

“At the Tokyo Shogi Association.”

Crap.

I knew right then and there I’d stepped into forbidden territory and it blew up in my face like a landmine.

Ai had been drowning in stage fright, but now some strange power is flooding through her voice.

“I observed you commentating on the Emperor Title Match with a Women’s League player on Niko Live. Yes, you were having a great time with Rokuroba-sensei.”

“Ah, yes, I remember that. Anyway, let’s shift our attention to the first move in this match––.”

“You stared at her breasts the whole time, Master.”

“Huuh?! N-No, I didn’t!”

“You stared and stared, didn’t you?”

“………… They might’ve crossed my line of sight once or twice, but that’s all ……”

“You were so absorbed in them that comments like Ryuo’s watching the bounce, lol went across the screen, remember?”

“…………”

“And it’s not just Rokuroba-sensei, is it? Whether it’s Keika or Kugui-sensei or whoever, Master likes women with big breasts, right?”

“W-Well~ …… Hahaha. You sure have a sharp tongue! Now, about the first move–––.”

“Don’t change the subject. We’re discussing whether or not you like women with big breasts right now.”

“Um, we’re here to analyze Shogi ……”

“We are! What could be more interesting than analyzing the Ryuo, the one at the top of the Shogi world! I’m sure the audience would love to know, am I right?!”

“Damn straight!”

“Don’t chicken out, Ryuo!”

“What? You’re not into little girls?!”

Audiences in Kanto are usually very quiet and attentive, but Kansai people love to talk and join in the analysis all the time. It’s what makes doing commentary here special.

Usually, having audience participation is great but …… But, for the love of the Shogi gods, keep your mouths shut today!!

“N-Next move! Let’s do the Next Move Quiz!”

“Huh? Right now?!” Mr. Kagamizu says, shocked by my sudden suggestion.

I don’t blame him. Not a single piece has moved on the big board. Basically, it’s still showing the starting formation. There’s nothing to predict here. One look at the match record and everybody will know the answer.

But, I didn’t have any other choice!

“N-Now, it’s time for the Next Move Quiz …… What move will Oishi-King make to open the match …… Or, what he made? To start? What do you think, folks? Put on your thinking caps ……”

This is why people come to these analysis sessions!

It’s a game where they guess what move the players will make next.

Guess right, and they can win all sorts of Shogi goods, usually player autographs, folding fans and match records, just to name a few. It’d be a waste to let this chance slip by.

“Kuzuryu-sensei. Would you please announce three choices?”

“I’d be happy to. First–––.”

“Guess which type of woman Master will choose!”

“Say what?!”

“There are three choices!”

A: Elementary School Girl

B: Women’s League Player with Large Breasts

C: Other

“Those are the choices?! Was Next Move always that kind of quiz?!”

I found out later that pretty much everyone in the audience chose “A.”

After a lengthier break than usual.

“…… Ai, are you ready?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you? You’re the one soaked with sweat.”

“……… I’m just fine ……”

…… I was going to have the commentator switched out at some point anyway, but I never thought it’d be only fifteen minutes into the session. We didn’t even get to analyze the first move. I’m pretty sure that’s never happened before.

Ai Hinatsuru was having a bit of a tantrum, so I asked Keika to take her back to Master’s place. The way she looked at Keika’s chest was slightly terrifying.

“The next commentator is making her debut today, as well.”

Taking our cue from Mr. Kagamizu’s announcement, I guide Ai Yashajin to the front of the classroom.

“The Ryuo’s second apprentice and the youngest Women’s League player in history, she has reached the Mynavi Finals in her first tournament appearance and is making waves in the Shogi world–––Ai Yashajin Women’s 2-kyu!”

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP–––!!

The crowd might be more enthusiastic this time because Ai Yashajin is from the Kansai area.

Or maybe–––.

“Kobe has great expectations for its hometown star, so much so that she’s been dubbed Kobe’s Cinderella. What a wonderful nickname it is.”

“Excuse me! I made it very clear that you weren’t supposed to say that, didn’t I?! Do you want to die?!”

Mr. Kagamizu winks at her as Ai starts freaking out on stage.

This is payback for what she said in the Player’s Room. No matter how tiny the jab, competitors aren’t going to just walk away. That’s a good lesson for Lady Ai to learn.

After taking that verbal punch in the face, Ai got hit with a haymaker.

“My Lady! This way! Please look over in this direction!!”

A lady wearing a black suit and sunglasses has a digital camera pointed directly at my apprentice and is waving her arm back and forth over her head.

Its Ai’s bodyguard, Akira Ikeda (Shogi is her pastime, sniping is her specialty).

What’s more, she’s not alone.

“I went to all the Shogi parlors to round up the geezers and punks you’ve gotten to know and brought them here as your own cheering squad! Alright you ingrates, don’t tell me you think the Lady is satisfied with that piss-poor round of applause?!! Keep going strong until I give the signal!!”

“……… Akira ……… After this, you’re dead ………”

Another chill rolls down my spine. Akira …… You’ve gone too far ……

I send up a quick prayer for her before switching gears to Shogi analysis.

“As the Worldly Maestro is on offense, it goes without saying that he opened with Ranging Rook.”

“It’s Ranging Rook …… But, something seems different about his strategy.”

Ai takes on a more grown-up tone and follows my lead. Nicely done.

“Oishi-sensei advanced his central Pawn on the third turn. That by itself shows he’s using Ranging Rook, or at least I thought so–––.”

“Oishi-King’s strategy of choice is to line up his own Rook with his opponent’s and set up a head-on collision, Opposing Rook! Since you play both Static Rook and Ranging Rook, Miss Yashajin, what do you think about his decision?”

“This isn’t a league match or the Practice League. I haven’t done enough research ……”

“Ah, good point. Opposing Rook tends to become a free-for-all once the battle starts. That’s why most players are hesitant to use it in important matches.”

“This is an A Rank Placement Match, and these two will meet again in the King League. So, today’s match is like a preliminary round, yes? What do you think Oishi-King is planning, Sensei?”

“Let’s advance a few rounds and I’ll show you.”

Ai fully understands her role as a commentator, not only answering the questions I ask her but asking me questions in return. Wow, she’s easy to talk to. Nicely done. She is taking the big board pieces from me like a well-oiled machine. I guess she’s looking really good at it because Ai Hinatsuru didn’t move any at all during her time up here.

“Ah, here’s the spot.”

We arrive at the point in the match we saw in the Player’s Room, around the 20th move.

“Pay close attention to the offense’s left Silver. Can you see what it’s trying to accomplish?”

“What it’s trying to …… Oh!”

Ai takes a few steps back to look at the whole board and read.

“Could it be …… Reverse Climbing Silver?!”

“Nicely spotted. Reverse Climbing Silver as a strategy that uses the left Silver and a Rook to break a defensive formation. Climbing Silver strategies are known for pairing with yagura castles and Bishop Exchanges, but Ranging Rook strategies can use them as well.”

“Yes. Bishop Exchange Fourth File Rook …… Wait!”

Ai’s already wide eyes opening even wider.

“Is he using …… Bishop Exchange Fourth File Rook standards with an Opposing Rook strategy?!”

“That he is! That’s Oishi-sensei’s creativity at its finest,” I explain as I move the left Silver across the big board.

“Reverse Climbing Silver can inflict a great deal of damage if it hits home. However, it’s a simple strategy that’s easy to counter, even moreso with elements of Fourth File Rook in play. That being said–––.”

“I see …… All research on how to deal with Fourth File Rook is useless against Opposing Rook. That’s an amazing idea!”

Ai’s formal tone disappears as she gets excited, but that lets the audience know just how incredible Oishi-sensei is, so it’s all good. I can tell just by looking that the whole crowd is on the edge of their seats.

“Miss Yashajin, you have some experience with Bishop Exchange Fourth File Rook, don’t you? How do you see the offense shaping up?”

“…… It’s hard to tell at first glance. What about you, Sensei?”

“Realistically, his chances of success are up in the air. It’s fun to think about, but if the defense should deploy a Bishop at 7 Six–––.”

This.

This is what I wanted!

Smooth, easy small talk with a commentator who makes focusing on the match analysis a breeze.

Ai Yashajin …… I thought that sharp tongue of hers would make commentating nearly impossible, but it turns out she’s good at it?!

“Let’s take a moment to talk about Crown Yo Okito. This may be a Kansai analysis session, but people will think we’re playing favorites if we spend the whole time talking about Mr. Oishi.”

“Not that that gives Oishi-King any sort of advantage.”

That got belly laughs out of the crowd. Keep it up, Ai!

Unfortunately, the mood got completely destroyed with the next question.

“Miss Yashajin, do you know Okito-Crown?”

“Of course, I do. He’s the first professional to lose to a computer, yes?”

Murmur!

The warmed-up crowd freezes over in the blink of an eye.

And I can feel the blood draining from my veins.

“Back then, people called him all sorts of names like Humanity’s Shame and The Traitor Who Ended Shogi. I think those are fair assessments, though, because, despite using his best strategy, he failed to put the machine in check even once in that horrible match.”

“Uhh, hold on there …… Miss Yashajin, you might want to avoid–––.”

“What’s wrong with talking about it? It’s common knowledge that software has gone beyond what people can do. Even the Meijin would lose more often than not. Isn’t that right, everyone?” Ai yells to the crowd.

“Ya bet he would!”

“Well said!”

“No! I believe in the Meijin!”

And more. There’s energy building in the crowd again, but it’s not what it used to be.

The difference between software and people …… Pros and Sub League members typically want to avoid talking about Mr. Okito, a top-tier pro, losing to a machine at all costs.

Now, Ai is breaking that taboo without a second thought.

“And speaking of that Okito guy, he stopped talking to people and going to practice sessions so that he could study exclusively with software, didn’t he? Lots of young players have their eye on him because of his fast turnaround. Therefore, didn’t losing turn out better for him in the end?”

“S-Seriously, Ai! That’s too far–––.”

“Though I do feel sorry for him. No matter what new strategy he might come up with, people just say: The software taught him how to do that. He could claim all the titles and it still wouldn’t be enough …… But opinions will change once working with software becomes a normal part of Shogi.”

This conversation jampacked with taboos seems to have lit a fire in the audience.

“You’re right! You think he’s happy, resorting to software just to win?!”

“Nah, as long as I get to see interesting Shogi matches, I’m good!”

“Shouldn’t pros win with their own ideas?!”

“If you’re gonna bring that up, what about practice sessions–––?!”

No one cares about the match anymore. The analysis session has turned into a philosophical debate about whether people are stronger than computers and how the Shogi world will change ……

Having completely lost control, I say, “It’s about time for grade schoolers to get to bed,” as an excuse to end the session early.

Disaster!

Their commentator debuts were a total disaster too!!

“What do you think, Ryuo?”

“He’s got a check path …… But I don’t see the defending King getting trapped by it.”

Mr. Kagamizu and I are sitting in front of the monitor in the Player’s Room with an analysis board between us.

Seeing Mr. Oishi’s check path, Mr. Okito deploys a Bishop onto the board to put him in check. Here it is, the final battle.

“Now where’s he going to move his King–––?”

Mr. Kagamizu leans in close to the monitor as the screen shows Mr. Oishi move his King diagonally upward with a quick flick of the wrist and a lit cigarette sandwiched between his fingers. That’s not particularly good manners for a title holder to have, but it’s exhilarating to see the Worldly Maestro do it with style.

But his fingers are shaking just a little bit.

“3 Six King? …… Wouldn’t 4 Six have been better to get his King to safety?”

“If he moved it to 4 Six, all the defender would need to do is drop a Silver at 5 Five and he’d control the middle of the board.”

I play out what would happen on the analysis board as I answer.

“Moving to 3 Six is pretty much the same as a king deserting his castle right before the fall, but not a bad move in this situation.”

“Playing like this, it looks like he’s afraid of something.”

I have a good idea about the something Mr. Kagamizu is talking about.

“So, what do you think?”

“I think the Maestro still has a few good options.”

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been asked what I think today, but I offer my opinion on the formations just the same. Everything is clear as a whistle to me at this point.

“The defender advanced his edge Pawn and secured an escape route for his King. All this puts a bit of pressure on the offense’s King, it’s only pressure, nothing more. Judging from the offensive point of view, I’d say he should deploy a Gold at 4 Six or 6 Six to take control of the central area. That will make it more difficult to put him in check.”

“For sure. Doing that would put them neck and neck–––.”

Mr. Kagamizu picks up a Gold from the offensive piece stand and starts to reach for 6 Six on the board.

Just before it got there.

“Huh?!” the two of us say in disbelief after Mr. Oishi, on offense, makes his move.

“5 Seven Paaawn?! Not 6 Six Gold?!”

The Gold Mr. Kagamizu had in his hand falls onto the board with a few dull clicks.

“What was he seeing ……?”

“An illusion? …… That’s all it could be.”

I arrange the pieces on our analysis board to show what I think was going through Mr. Oishi’s mind.

“Probably, he was thinking that Mr. Okito’s Dragon at 4 Nine would come to take his defensive Gold. In that case, deploying a Rook at 3 Two in enemy territory would put the defending King in checkmate.”

“But, move the Dragon to 5 Six and the offensive King would have nowhere to go.”

“I know. I think Mr. Oishi didn’t see it.”

“Oishi-sensei, overlooking something that simple ……?!”

“I don’t believe it either, but that’s the only explanation. Ahhh …… Yeah, an apology.”

Mr. Oishi takes the defender’s Dragon with the Gold he thought was going to get taken. That opened the door to the Gold and Silver defensive wall, making that move pointless.

I bet he saw the defender’s 5 Six Dragon would get him as soon as he made that move.

That’s why he tried to go in a totally different direction. In Shogi, we call this an apology, sort of like accepting a mistake and trying to move on from it.

But the situation is already too bleak for an apology to make much difference.

“…… He built up that much of a lead in the early game ……”

Mr. Kagamizu bites his lip to endure the pain.

“Maybe that strategy was a little too new? So much so that even Mr. Oishi couldn’t pull it off.”

“That’s part of it.”

I nod, but have a different idea.

“I agree with you, but …… I think he lost for a different reason. Mr. Oishi was too worried about his opponent. That’s why he ran out of gas when the attacks came to a head.”

I’ve seen this type of loss before. It happens quite a bit when players go against particularly strong opponents.

Build a lead in the early game.

Extend that lead in the mid-game.

But …… Lose the match on a mistake in the late game.

I didn’t even nod, just kept my eyes on the monitor. It’s so obvious, I didn’t need to agree with him.

Three minutes later, Mr. Oishi silently lowers his head.

“……… The letdown stick.”

“Yeah ……”

Waiting time ran out on Mr. Oishi’s turn without making a move, resulting in a loss. The match recorder has to write each move on the match record, but also the waiting time. Whenever a player runs out of time, they don’t have a move to record.

So, what they do is write “–––” through the square on the sheet.

That’s where the term letdown stick comes from. If the player gives up right away, then there is no stick.

When the player knows that they’re defeated, they can mentally prepare themselves so the actual act of throwing in the towel happens almost right away.

It’s what we call setting the scene.

But there’s no time to prepare when your own mistake results in a near instant death. Not wanting to go out on that note, they think as hard as they can but end up running out of time and throwing a piece.

That’s what the stick in the match record means.

The agony of defeat will live on in that match record forever.

There’s nothing more humiliating for a pro to go through. That’s especially true for someone who prides themselves on aesthetics, like Mr. Oishi.

“…… This loss might stick with him for a while.”

Wondering why Mr. Kagamizu is starting to collect his things as he spoke, I ask, “Aren’t you going to stay for the review session?”

“I’d like to, but …… I don’t want to see Oishi-sensei like this. It hurts too much.”

As a fellow member of the Ranging Rook party, I’m sure he has great respect for Mr. Oishi. Much more than I do, anyway. That’s probably why he can feel Mr. Oishi’s pain right now.

“You’re going there yourself, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Be sure you do. I can’t imagine Ginko is comfortable in there.”

With that, Hiuma Kagamizu puts on his coat and leaves the room.

Now that I look around, the Player’s Room that was so full just a little while ago is now completely empty.

“……………”

Mr. Oishi seems upset after throwing in the towel, which is very unusual for him. He’s just sitting there without saying a word and staring daggers at the board.

The pile of cigarette butts in his ashtray have been chewed to pieces. Nothing could show how much pain Mr. Oishi is in right now better than that.

“…… Excuse me,” I say in a hushed voice as I take a seat a good distance away from the board. Big Sis and Ms. Mato looked up at me when I come in, but both players kept their eyes squarely on the board.

Mr. Oishi and Mr. Okito aren’t making eye contact, at all.

King and Crown.

These two titleholders aren’t looking at today’s Shogi.

Their eyes are zeroed in on …… the King League, which is about to start.

“……!”

At last, Mr. Oishi starts angrily shifting pieces around in a new sequence.

“……”

Mr. Okito didn’t say anything but goes along with it.

Review sessions can get so heated that sometimes it feels like they should be called the second round.

Each piece that Mr. Oishi snaps down sounds harsh, like kindling crackling under a fire.

On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, Mr. Okito’s moves are unnaturally quiet.

The review session goes on without a word.

Usually, the victor will let the defeated win these proposed sequences during review sessions so that they don’t make the agony of defeat any worse.

But Mr. Okito is crushing every single sequence that Mr. Oishi tries out.

It’s almost like …… He’s an emotionless computer, mercilessly efficient and precise.

Neither player said a word the whole time.

“Okito-sensei. A later date will be fine, but may I ask you a few questions about today’s match?”

“I would prefer you not.”

Standing up along with the victor once he was finished putting the pieces away, Ms. Mato asks him for an interview. Mr. Okito politely but instantly refuses.

For a second, Ms. Mato froze like she’d been slapped in the face.

“Sensei! Please, just a few minutes–––!”

Unable to take no for an answer, she follows Mr. Okito out the door.

Mr. Oishi is still sitting at the board, alone.

“………”

After watching the review session, Big Sis, who had been working as the match recorder, and I watch with baited breath to see what the still-silent Mr. Oishi will do next.

In the big picture …… this loss doesn’t hurt that much.

Mr. Oishi has already won four of his placement matches, so I doubt he’ll have to drop down. He’s in a perfect position to defend his title without having to worry about other match results.

But his promising new strategy has just been crushed into a million pieces.

Mr. Oishi’s research has reached a dead-end.

Meanwhile, Mr. Okito walked away with the victory …… and new avenues for his research to explore.

That difference is huge right before a big match. Mr. Oishi has to change up his strategy before the first match starts and he’s been mentally pushed into a corner.

How far has Mr. Okito’s research progressed?

Was that strategy specifically for this match in the first place?

And if it was research, preparing for a strategy so far removed from the standards like that is ……

“…… Guess there’s no point in sitting here,” Mr. Oishi mutters to himself and slaps his knees as he gets to his feet.

He then starts talking to us while getting ready to leave.

“Yaichi. Ginko. Got time tomorrow?”

“I don’t have anything going on but …… Big Sis? You’ve got school, right?”

“The evening is fine.”

Mr. Oishi nods at her answer, but he’s zoned out like his head is somewhere else.

The Worldly Maestro slides his arms through his jacket and tells us what he has in mind.

“I’d like to do a practice session. Please bring what you’d need to spend the night.”

I got to Kyoubashi Station quite a bit earlier than the time we agreed to meet, and I’ve been checking the time on my phone over and over again while running through the plan in my head since I got here.

“First off …… I need to apologize for what happened that day. Yes. An apology is the best opening move. Just keep apologizing until she forgives me ……”

If I’ve got to get down on all fours to do the dogeza position, I’m fully prepared physically and mentally. I wore these pants specifically because I don’t care if the knees get dirty.

Right now, Big Sis and I are fighting.

“…… Well, fighting isn’t the right word because it’s all my fault.”

Right after I lost the third Ryuo Title Match … I said some horrible things to Big Sis when she came to my apartment to check on me.

“What could a lowly Sub League member actually do?”

Specifically, that horrible thing.

“…… Although, she did punch me in the face not long after that. Kicked me in the ribs a couple times while I fell to the floor, too, but ……”

That was all my fault as well.

“…… Strength is everything in the Shogi world. That’s why the strong can say pretty much whatever they want, and other people just let it slide …… But that’s exactly why people have to protect what they think is important ……”

A high-ranking player once said this: Sub League members are lower than human.

Enraged by his comments, a veteran 3-dan countered with this: We may be lower than human, but anyone who says so isn’t human at all!

I agree.

Pros, Sub League members, heck, even the Meijin, Women’s League members and amateurs, we’re all human beings just the same. Our Shogi skill has nothing to do with it. Besides, Shogi strength and skill have never been used to determine someone’s worth as a human being.

But, at the same time–––.

“…… We all play Shogi like our lives depend on it. I’ve moved pieces around the board until my fingers bled, shed enough tears in the Sub League to last a lifetime …… And turned pro because of it.”

No human being has ever turned pro without losing sweat, blood and tears.

That’s why I think the ones who’ve gone through that pain deserve respect, and the skills they obtained in the process make them, in my opinion, beyond human because they sacrificed their chance to live as normal people to reach that level.

So …… Yeah.

That’s why we pros think people who’ve thrown away their human lives and continue to win in battles against pros who’ve done the same, people who are better at Shogi than we are, as something special, something beyond human. It’s like a mirage.

A mirage strong enough to make the Meijin look like a god.

“…… Anyway, I just need to make sure to apologize.”

I switch my train of thought back to what needs to happen.

This will actually be the first time since the Ryuo Title Match that the two of us will be alone together like this.

“…… There have been a lot of events and interviews to do, so we’ve both been busy …… But I can’t shake the feeling that Big Sis has been trying to avoid being with me one-on-one ……”

Big Sis successfully defended her Women’s Throne title and wrote an article about it, but there had to be time to talk with her in there somewhere. It’s been two months since we’ve had a proper conversation. That’s the record for the longest she’s ever ignored me.

“In other words …… She’s still pissed ……… This is going to be rough ……”

Then again, there is hope.

On the morning of the Fourth Ryuo Title Match, Day 2 … When I asked Big Sis if I could have some time to talk with her when the match was over, she answered that she’d think about it. She wasn’t looking at me though.

But she …… should forgive me.

“…… Back when Shumai-sensei crashed at the First Move Ceremony, she seemed fine around me and she didn’t try to move away or anything during the review session yesterday …… At least, I don’t think she did. Probably ……”

And now it’s almost time for her to get here.

Early evening outside Kyoubashi Station’s north exit, just in front of all the shops.

Students and office workers start flooding out of the turnstiles, but that black sailor-style school uniform isn’t anywhere among them.

“She’s late …… Don’t tell me she left me here and went on over by herself ……?”

She should already be here–––.

“Yaichi.”

“Holy?!”

Hit with a voice out of thin air, I nearly jump out of my skin.

I didn’t see who it was until she was standing right in front of me …… Wait.

“Huh?! Big Sis ……? Is that you?”

“…………”

Only when I saw her staring at me out of the corner of her eye did I know for sure it was her.

She’s in regular street clothes.

Big Sis is all business, even going to practice sessions and versus matches in her school uniform on her days off.

What’s more, she wears the winter uniform in summer because her skin burns so easily.

But right now, Big Sis …… is dressed up in casual clothes like the models in fashion magazines and wearing a hat as a disguise. It’s like what famous people do when they want to go out in public.

–––Whoa. Damn cute ……

So cute that my head is going blank, just like when an opponent’s preemptive strike hits home right before a match and you forget all the research you did to prepare for it. This level of cuteness borders on abuse.

“…… Well, let’s go.”

“Ah! …… Right.”

I take off to catch up with her.

With the sun going down and neon lights glowing in the shopping arcade–––not that this place gets much sunlight during the day or the neon lights ever go off–––it’s not a safe place for a girl to walk by herself.

“Big Sis! Please, wait for me!”

That’s especially true for a girl as cute as her. I get right up next to her, walking shoulder to shoulder to ward off the creepy-looking men swarming in like wasps on a beautiful flower.

The Gokigen Bathhouse isn’t far. We’ll get there in a few minutes at this pace.

There are two things I need to do in those few minutes.

Two things.

However, something completely different is going on in my head right now.

––– …… It’d be bad if I, held her hand …… Wouldn’t it?

Close enough to brush shoulders, I quickly take a glance at her face in profile out of the corner of my eye so that she won’t notice.

“…………”

She is silently marching straightforward like I’m not even here.

What does that mean?

She was the one who took my hand in Hawaii, and we went on from there.

–––In Harajuku …… Who was it?

Ms. Shakando had her dressed up in really frilly clothes, and I helped her walk because she could’ve tripped at any moment …… So, was I the one that took her hand? Or did she reach out for me?

–––Should I pretend to touch her hand by accident and judge her reaction? Something casual, like sticking out a Pawn to test the waters …… I mean, the fact that she’s letting me walk this close to her means she’s not angry anymore, right? Wait, wait. There’s a good possibility she’s just putting up with me for Mr. Oishi … as a favor for all he’s done for us. Her face is stone cold and she hasn’t said a word, so she still might be pissed at me …… Trying to hold her hand now could end up with me getting slapped in the face, which would be one heck of a jolt and pretty much destroy my chances of getting her to forgive me …… Ungghh ……

With all that going on in my head, we hadn’t said a single word to each other by the time we arrived at the bathhouse, let alone held hands.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Where did things turn south?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Mr. Oishi.”

“Yeah, Yaichi?”

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

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

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

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

“Try stopping this.”

I remember everything up until I said that.

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

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

Three hours have gone by and I had no idea.

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

––– …… It’s the same as back then.

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

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

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

“……………!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oh well, doesn’t matter.

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

“Yeah, but ……”

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

“Hmm ……”

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

“Software, huh ……”

“Here––––––See?”

I open up my bag and take out my tablet.

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

Numbers pop up on the screen.

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

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

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

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

“Ah-huh …… Hm?”

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

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

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

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

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

“You sure got a mouth on you ……”

Crap. I got carried away and went too far.

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

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

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

“……”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big Sis joins the conversation.

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

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

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

“Yes, yes! That’s exactly it!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s–––.

“Uh, umm ……”

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

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

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

“T-The baths …… are closed today ……”

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

“?! I-I, ahh wa waa ……!”

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

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

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

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