Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 1 - Chapter 4.3

☖ ENDLESS SHOGI

Our practice session was so much fun the evening snuck up on us.

“Shouldn’t you three be heading home?” I reluctantly say with Charlette still sitting on my knees.

“Oh. I’m fine,” said Mio as she pulled her backpack toward her and opened the fasteners, “because I brought my pajamas and toothbrush with me.”

That’s not the point.

“Hold up, hold up … What do you mean fine? Your parents didn’t give you permission to stay over all night, did they?”

“They said staying at a pro Shogi player’s place was all right.”

“Big Sister Machi said I should take advantage of this opportunity to stay overnight at the Ryuo’s residence.”

“Cha’s okay too!”

“………… Ai.”

“Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry!!”

My apprentice lowers her head so fast I thought she might go through the floor.

Supposedly, staying overnight was their plan from the start.

“…… Well, all right then. But I’d like to talk to your parents first. Could you write down your phone numbers for me?”

“Wahoo——!!”

Sure enough, I found out all three of them had permission from their parents after making the calls. More parents seem to be open-minded about Shogi nowadays.

I think I’ll message Keika while I’m at it.

“Help! Three of Ai’s friends are here and want to stay overnight! Grade schoolers have taken over my room and I don’t know what to do!!” … And sent.

Heh-heh-heh. Now if Keika’d drop by to spend the night as well, the two of us will get closer!

There’s no doubt in my mind that once she gets taken in by Charlette’s cute and pure innocence she’ll say, “Haaa … I’d love to have a baby like her … Any good people around …? Someone good at Shogi who’ll always love me, has a high social standing, and holds one of the seven great Shogi titles …” That would be me!!

“Oh, and Ai. Are we okay for dinner tonight?”

“There’s curry.”

Nope, not happening.

“L-Let’s order something! Pizza?! Sushi?! Eel?! Just name it!”

“Cha wants tagoyakki!”

The Angel wishes for takoyaki. I placed the order and ran out to pick some up.

Four girls eating together can be summed up in one word: lively.

“Munch, munch … Mio, I think you made the right move, promote the Rook at 2 one!”

“I felt the same way at first. But it would have been a mistake. Ai, your thoughts?”

“Um, I thought about that move too … But I think 3 Five Knight would be better ……”

“The Knight?!”

“Just like that?!”

“3 Five Knight followed by 2 Four Rook, take it with 2 Four Knight, 2 Eight Rook, line up with the 2 Five Rook and promote the other, and then move the Bishop to 4 Four and take that with the Knight …”

“To 4 Four Bishop?!”

Instead of talking about girl’s manga or fashion, these grade schoolers are calling out places on a Shogi grid over dinner. They can’t talk about Shogi with their school friends or family members, so everyone’s really getting into it.

Once we were done eating, it was right back to the Shogi boards.

These girls have been playing since this morning without getting bored. Considering it’s already evening, they’ll keep playing forever if I don’t stop them.

Waiting for the best opportunity to cut in, I speak up while the Grade Schooler Practice Group was reviewing their latest round.

“That’s enough Shogi for today. It’s time to start taking baths and getting ready for bed.”

“Okay!!”

Then immediately they start lining up pieces again.

“Hey, hey, what do you think you’re doing?” I ask and——.

“Playing to see who gets to take the first bath!”

It took two rounds of matches, but they all eventually got in the tub.

But all four came back for more Shogi after changing into pajamas. They won’t stop playing.

“Okay, okay. Enough’s enough. It’s time for bed.”

“Sure!!” the grade schoolers energetically respond and start lining up pieces again.

When I ask them why——.

“Playing to see who brushes their teeth first!”

“Playing to see who gets to use the hairdryer first!”

“Playing to see who sleeps where!”

This’ll never end.

… Then again, I used to be like this too, so I can’t insist. Big Sis and I used to decide everything we did with a game of Shogi.

On the other hand, if they don’t actually get some sleep soon … Just as that thought crossed my mind …

“Sensei. May I ask you something?”

“Hm? What is it, Ayano?”

“Would it be possible to play against you, the Ryuo, in an instructional match? I’d like to take advantage of this opportunity.”

“That’s fine, under one condition … You go to bed when we’re finished, okay?”

I’d like to see how much they’ve improved today, and this is a good chance.

Laying out futons in the tatami room, we set up Shogi boards fanning out with me in the middle and start a four on one instructional match. Charlette plops down in front of my Shogi grid cloth. How precious!

“What are the handicaps?”

“Fo … No, two pieces please!”

“Two pieces!”

“S-Same for me!”

I take my Rook and Bishop off the boards facing Mio, Ayano and Ai. For Charlette, I’m only using the King, Golds, Silvers and Pawns in a six-piece handicap.

Personalities come out during instructional matches.

There are some pros who refuse to go easy on their opponents, while others lose on purpose to give the less experienced players confidence. There are even a few who will let their opponent win if they follow standard strategy but will crush anyone who challenges them to a contest of strength.

There are some pros who are usually really nice, but become hot-blooded when teaching others. Cool-headed millennial players like myself can’t help but wonder why they get so into it.

True beginners like Charlette are one thing, but I won’t lose on purpose to someone already ranked. However, I take a lot of pride in giving kind words of encouragement during the review session.

I do just that after thoroughly dismantling all three of my two-piece handicap opponents.

“Mio, I like your aggressive attacking style. But you should try to fix your habit of attacking without thinking about the overall balance. Going on the attack is fine, but don’t leave any pieces stranded. Okay?”

“Y … Yes! Thank you!”

“Ayano, you’ve also got a good feel for Shogi. But why not try some new strategies? You’ve already got good instincts, so believe in yourself and branch out. Keep at it!”

“I-I will!”

“Ai. What was with that lazy match? Again!”

“S-Sorry! I don’t have any excuse!!”

“Play like that again and I’ll renounce you as my apprentice, clear?”

Mio watches Ai and I start lining up pieces again while Ai has a look of surprise on her face and asks, “U-umm … Weren’t we supposed to go to bed, after that match …?”

“Anyone who wants to sleep can go ahead and sleep!!”

“Yikes!”

“If you want to get stronger, find a strong opponent and keep playing. Ai, do you want to get stronger?”

“Yes, yes I do!! Ready when you are!!”

Seeing Ai lower her head, the other grade schoolers line up their own pieces.

“I … I want to get stronger too!”

“I do as well!!”

“Cha too!”

“All right, all of you, listen up! Ten instructional matches until morning. Here we go!!!”

“Yeah!!”

We played a hell of a lot of Shogi after that.