Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 1 - Chapter 2.1

☗ VERSUS

I give the “apprentice” matter some more thought while sipping tea.

Talent … Yeah, she’s got it.

All because she can learn how to “end” a Shogi match from doing all those puzzles.

This combination … I just saw it in a puzzle!

That’s useful in a seminar sort of way. If you can get to the point where your gut tells you where the opportunities are, then you can reach victory much faster than your opponent.

That’s strength in the endgame.

Whereas normal people can only get a feel for it with the puzzles, Ai can combine all of that knowledge and accurately recall each situation with that incredible memory of hers.

So, basically, that girl … gets stronger with every match she plays, with every puzzle she solves.

If someone were to ask me if she’d make it in the world of women’s Shogi I’d have to say, “Yeah, she would. Plain and simple.”

More specifically, she’d win titles if trained properly. I only know a few women with the kind of talent she has.

The icing on the cake—.

Only been playing for three months …

Ai’s nine right now.

A little too old for Shogi players aiming to be the best to start.

Most pro players knew the rules before starting elementary school and would begin their hardcore training right about now.

Ai’s way behind where my Big Sis, Ginko Sora—a two-title holder in the Women’s League—was at her age in terms of game knowledge.

Then again, Big Sis is a freak who knew the rules like the back of her hand when she was only two years old. I can’t deny that for Ai, growing this much in three months, means there’s a possibility she has more hidden potential than Big Sis. Women tend to start later in the pro Shogi world than men do anyway.

If someone asked me if I’d want to train her, I’d have to say, “Of course I’d want to.”

She has distinguished talent.

And her personality: her competitive nature and her will to win leave nothing to be desired. A mighty fine cook too. Judging by the humming noises coming from the tub, I bet she’s got a great singing voice as well.

Add in her angelic good looks, and she’s got all it takes to become the Shogi world’s idol in no time. Shogi might get a million new fans just because of her.

And, to put it bluntly: I wanna see what that kind of talent can do on a Shogi board.

… Just not as her Master.

That’s right.

How could I, the Kuzu Ryuo, who can’t even look after himself, take care of a grade schooler, a girl at that?

Taking her on as an apprentice is out of the question. For her sake, too.

So who do I leave her to …? Hmm, who would be good? Someone I know on the north coast—?

Just when that thought crossed my mind.

Ding dong♪

The doorbell goes off.

“Heeello? Who is it?”

“Me.”

“Who?”

“Me.”

Big … Sis …?!

“DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”

Go! Run like the wind!!”

I race to the front door and grasp the knob with both hands.

She’s got a spare key, so she’d come in with or without my permission. Heck, she’d come in if I weren’t home if she wanted to. Since she’s usually playing Shogi at all hours of the day, I’ve actually given up on telling her to stay out so I don’t care.

But not today!! Not when there’s a grade school girl in my tub!!

“W-Why’d you come all the way out here, Big Sis?! D-d-d-do you need to talk to me?!”

“Versus.”

“Was that todaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!?”

Yesterday, we talked about it before going home! I completely forgot! But so much has happened!! A grade school girl showed up!!

“Hurry up and open the door. It’s hot.”

Her angry voice makes my heart beat faster. Naniwa’s Snow White has really sensitive skin and hates being outside in the sun.

“Um, right now … I’m still … preparing ……”

“Say what?”

Great, now she’s angry and suspicious.

“Y-You know! I’ve been on a real skid recently, right!? Though I hate to admit it myself!”

“And?”

“And I thought I’d try out some new strategies for our versus today! So, um, it’s taking longer than I thought, doing this and that to get ready.”

“I don’t care if you want to try Cheerful Central Rook or the Rook Corner Exchange strategies. Why does that mean I have to wait outside?”

“Umm … Because they’re not ready …”

What am I supposed to say? Because there’s a nine-year-old girl in my tub!? And now she’s driving me into a corner—I’m already in check!

Closing and left and right, Big Sis says, “… Yaichi, are you taking a bath?”

She can probably hear the water running outside. The tub is right next to the entrance.

“Y-Yes, I am. Th-Th-That’s why! I can’t open the door!!”

If Big Sis saw some unknown grade schooler in the tub, she’d probably murder me before I could come up with an excuse. I’d either be bludgeoned with my eight-and-a-half inch Shogi board or have tons of pieces shoved into my mouth, eyes, nose, ears and up my butt before sinking to the bottom of the river ……

“Oh. You’re in the bath.”

“Y-Yeah …”

“That’s a relief.”

“Huh?”

“… I thought you hated me for a moment.”

“Big Sis …”

I highly doubt she’d be relieved to know I had a nine-year-old girl stay overnight and that she’s currently in the tub, but Big Sis can say the cutest things sometimes.

Then again … About half of what I said was true.

Going pro in October the year before last, once I fought my way out of Group 6 (the lowest ranking group in the Ryuo Tournament) and had gained fame by taking out established strong players one after another, I rose from the bottom all the way to the top of the Shogi world before I knew it.

Not only was I the youngest ever to claim a title at sixteen years and four months old, I was also the fastest title winner, winning it one year and two months after my pro debut. I went from 4-dan all the way to 7-dan thanks to participating in the Ryuo Tournament and I was promoted to 8-dan when I won. And, of course, I was the youngest and fastest to ever pull that off. Most pro Shogi players work their way up the ladder for thirty years before retiring at 7-dan. I surpassed all of them in a single year. A Ryuo Tournament dream come true. Cup noodles were Ryuo flavor. Even the noodles at the Yamagi Soba Noodles Restaurant across the road from the association headquarters tasted like Ryuo. Yay.

That’s when all hell broke loose.

Three months after becoming Ryuo, I haven’t won a single regulated match. That’s eleven in a row and counting. My winning percentage has fallen all the way to the thirties. The dream has become a nightmare.

You see, I finally figured it out. I only won the Ryuo tournament because I was weak.

“Yaichi …,” Big Sis was waiting while I reflected on my progress and how I could explain my need to develop new strategies.

There wasn’t much information on me at all since I’d only just turned pro, and no one expected me to win. So they didn’t take me seriously. Meanwhile, I was dissecting my opponents’ playing styles and coming up with all sorts of strategies. Ranking near the bottom let me try all sorts of uncool moves without worrying about anything. I ended up playing from behind all the time—probably pissed off a lot of my opponents because I refused to throw in the towel ……

But everything changed once I became Ryuo.

My playing style was thoroughly analyzed, making me a sitting duck. Everyone started going after my exposed weaknesses without a shred of mercy.

But that’s not all. I started getting a lot of attention, being on top of the Shogi world and all, and fans expected me to play a dignified classy style worthy of my title.

“So that’s why I need to develop new strategies. I need play like a Ryuo, play the perfect game that no one can criticize—.”

“Yaichi.”

“Yeah?”

“This losing skid isn’t because you’re weak. You aren’t weak at all. It’s that—.”

Just as Big Sis was about to say something.

“Master. Could you get me a towel?”

Ai popped out of the tub with amazing timing.

Water dripped from her wet hair and a smile was plastered on her face. She was stark naked. Growing up at a hot spring, it’s like she was saying, “I’ve got no problem going all natural♪”

Well, I’ve got a problem with it!

“Hey!? What the hell! Why’d you come out in the buff?!”

“Sorry (>_<)”

Like she forgot to bring a towel! Like some kind of off-handed comment. Freak out a bit! You’re naked, act like it!!

“…… Was that a girl’s voice?” Big Sis asked.

“N-no-no-no-no-no-not at all?! M-must be the TV?”

“You don’t have a TV, Yaichi.”

“Master? Is there someone outside?”

“Nope, no one at all!!”

I yell loud enough for Big Sis on the outside and Ai on the inside to hear me. Then—.

“……”

Rustling noises come from the other side of the door.

Oh no! Big Sis is getting out her spare key?!

“There’s nobody! I’m the only one in here!”

I scream with my hands braced against the lock and doorknob.

“Um, Master? What’re you doing there?” she asks, finding it strange that I’m hanging out by the front door.

She’s in her birthday suit.

“D-Don’t worry about that! Just please grab a towel and put some clothes on!”

“But the floor’ll get all wet.”

“That’s fine! It can be wet! Oh, once you get dressed grab your things and hide in the closet, okay!?”

“Huuh? Why should I hide?”

Click! Click! Click! WHAM!!

“Yaichi! Let go of the door!? The bath was a lie, wasn’t it!! Open up!!”

“EEEEEEEEK!!”

“Master? Is someone here for you?”

“No, well, you see.”

“……… Is it a girl?”

Her voice just dropped an octave. That’s … kinda scary.

“Master! Who is it!? What is she to you!? And look at me when you talk!!”

“I can’t! Because you’re buck naked!!”

“Buck naked!! There’s a naked girl in there!?”

The end is near.

“Look at me!” Ai yells and pulls at my arm, tripping me to the floor just as Big Sis opens the door—.

This happened. This is checkmate.

“Yaichi ……… Who’s this? This little girl ……?”

“Master!? Who is this other woman!?”

I’d give up right here and now if we were playing Shogi, but there is no “give up” option or reset button in life, as unfortunate as it is. This game royally sucks.