Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 1 - Chapter 2.3

☗ SHOGI HOUSEHOLD

“So … Master’s Master?”

“Yeah. Kousuke Kiyotaki 9-dan.”

I explain to Ai who my Master is while the three of us ride the train.

“He’s been to your family’s inn a few times. He came with me to the Ryuo title match as well.”

“Um … You’re the only one I really remember, Master …”

Sitting on my left, Ai’s shoulders sink apologetically. Big Sis is sitting on my right, fanning herself with her (spare) fan while gazing at the advertisements hanging from the ceiling and looking very disinterested. She showed her face at my title match too, for what it’s worth.

“Master’s Master …… What should I call him?”

“Hmm …… Grand Master, maybe?”

“Kiyotaki-sensei is good enough. Don’t forget, Brat, Yaichi ain’t your Master.”

“…… Darabuchi.”

“Would you just tell me what that means already? I doubt it’s a compliment.”

I’d rather not be sitting in the eye of the storm.

“But, Big Sis. Taking her to Master’s house would mean—.”

“… We can’t exactly throw a grade schooler out on the street, now can we?”

She doesn’t sound happy about it, but she seems to have Ai’s best interest in mind. Probably admires her guts, coming all the way here from the north coast by herself. Big Sis has always liked naturally strong people, people with spirit.

I agree that it’s best to let Master settle this. However, someone else disagreed.

“Master …? What’s she talking about ……?”

“Well, basically, we’ll ask my Master to take you under his wing in my place—.”

“N-no, no! I don’t want that! I want Master as my Master!! Master, you said I could call you Master, didn’t you Master!?”

“Master this, Master that, just shut up, Brat! How can you keep track of who’s who!?”

This war of words went back and forth all the way to Master’s front door. It was just one train station, so we got there in no time.

An old, traditional style Japanese house doubles as Master Kiyotaki’s home and Shogi classroom.

“We’re home!” Big Sis and I say in a loud voice as we step inside.

We always say “I’m home” rather than ringing the doorbell and announcing ourselves when we come here. Master was kind enough to insist on that.

The two of us lived here for about ten years, training every day as “live-in apprentices.”

I’ve spent more time in this house than at my parents’, so this place is special for me, and for Big Sis too.

“Oh, hello. Welcome back.”

Sticking her head out of the kitchen and greeting us like nothing has changed is my Master’s daughter, Keika.

A beautiful woman in her mid-twenties, Keika is kind and gentle, an amazing cook, and damn pretty to boot. Very well endowed too, but she keeps them under wraps. She’s a goddess to me, one to whom I declared when I was a kid, “I’m gonna marry you when I grow up!” more times than I can count. And I often ended up getting a swift kick from Big Sis as a result. The two of us always vied for her attention.

“I’m back, Keika!”

“Nice to see you, Yaichi. Sorry about what my father put you through yesterday.”

“I hate to say this, Keika, but he needs to be potty trained before going outside …”

“I’ve got him on a new regimen, don’t worry. It’s nice to see you too, Ginko.”

“…… Thanks.”

One smile from Keika and Big Sis rubs her face on her shoulder like a cute little kitten claiming her territory. Goddess.

“And a warm hello to you too, young lady. Please make yourself at home.”

“Th-Thank you! Please pardon the intrusion!!”

Ai gives a deep, sharp bow like a shrimp. Big Sis’s reaction was out of left field, but Ai goes along with Keika’s warm, embracing kindness right away. Goddess!

“…… Master is?”

“By the phone, I think. He’s been talking to somebody for a while now—.”

“Ginko, Yaichi. You came home.”

Master Kiyotaki appeared, the floor thumping beneath his feet. He was looking a little rough.

One look at Ai, and he said, “Alright,” with a nod before Big Sis or I could say a word.

“Great timing. Bring her with you and join me in the back. Keika, get dinner ready. We’ll all chow down in the back tonight.”

“Sure, sure.”

Well, things are moving right along.

“…… What’s going on?”

“What is going on?”

Big Sis and I exchange glances and urge the nervous, trembling Ai forward to follow Master.