Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 1 - Chapter 5

☖ DAY BEFORE THE TEST

“Did you hear that Universal Studios Japan has a new ride?”

Only Big Sis’s voice and an electronic hum could be heard in a private room for pro players on the third floor of the association headquarters: the Player’s Room.

Beeeeeeep …… beep, beep, beep.

“Oh?”

Snap. Click! I move the piece across the board as I respond, hitting the chess clock switch immediately after.

Both of us have fifteen minutes of waiting time. Once that’s up, all moves must be made in thirty seconds. Practice style Shogi.

“Some girls in my class were talking about it. Said it was fun.”

Snap. Click! Big Sis uses no time at all either, makes her move and flips the switch.

With important matches out of the way, pro Shogi players are ready for a long spring break. No one except Big Sis and I are around because there aren’t many matches to play. Doing that three-day remedial practice punishment right now.

“Hmmm ……,” I mumble and make my move.

The whole point of this conversation is to establish a rhythm. Neither of us is listening to a word the other says.

Big Sis brought up Universal Studios Japan, but if she or I actually went, we’d either go to a Shogi classroom or play Shogi in one of the karaoke places. They’ve got private rooms where we can eat and drink as much as we want and no one will ever complain that we’re being too loud: perfect for Shogi. Heck, playing all night would be a breeze.

“About tomorrow.”

Snap. Click!

“What about it?”

Snap. Click!

“Any plans, Yaichi?”

“I don’t have anything going on——.”

Both of us are already playing with a thirty-second limit. Using each other’s turns to read the board, we answer with slow, steady voices.

“But tomorrow’s the day my apprentice takes her Practice League Test.”

Snap!! Click!!

Big Sis snapped her piece down with vigor. I’m surprised the clock is still in one piece. She’s really into it.

“…… And?”

“Well, I thought I’d go watch, just for fun.”

Snap. Click!

“Aren’t you being overprotective?”

“Well, I’m sure getting into the Practice League will be a cakewalk for my Ai.”

“……”

Big Sis’s outstretched hand stops in midair and clenches into a fist. She’s reading up to the last second.

“But I feel responsible for her, staying at my place and all. And there’s nothing for me to do at home. Nowhere else I’d like to go either. No one would come with me,” (grimace).

“……”

Beep! Beep! Beep——.

“When it comes down to it, she’s cute, so I never get tired of her face. Apprentices are like that.”

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!

The chess clock’s loud alarm bell rings.

Time’s up.

“Ah, um …… Big Sis? It looks like time ran out ……”

“Sure does.”

Big Sis stands up like nothing happened after losing to a rule violation.

I know what’s going on.

This is …… Big Sis when she’s pissed off.

But why? Was it something I said? We were just talking about our plans for tomorrow, right ……?

“Big Sis? What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Work,” she answered without missing a beat, but the clearly irritated Princess left the room without another word.

Work on a Sunday? Maybe the Women’s League has an event or something? She prioritizes Shogi studies above all else, so I doubt she’d get involved ……”

“Well, it’s nothing I have to worry about.”

Putting the pieces back, I head out the door too.

I go down to the second-floor classroom just in time to see Ai getting stars stamped on her Match Card.

“Oh! Master!”

“How’d you do today?”

Ai sticks up four fingers and smiles from ear to ear. Won four in a row?

It would be better for her to have these victories fresh in her mind for tomorrow. It’s only lunch time, but this is a good time to call it a day. I tell her to take the afternoon off.

“Want to grab a bite at Twelve for luck?”

“Yay! A restaurant!”

In order to energize Ai, just as we decide to eat at one of the restaurants on the association’s first floor and head down the stairs, I spot a couple staring at the building map just inside the front door.

Middle-aged ……? They’re probably married, but not very old.

Both the man and the woman look like they’ve got their ducks in a row. No offense to Shogi fans, but these two don’t look like the type of people that would come here to play Shogi in the early afternoon.

“Hello there. Can I help you find something?”

Being a pro Shogi player is all about service. I put on a gentlemanly smile and greet them.

Their eyes jumped open a little wider upon seeing me.

However, they looked much more surprised to see my apprentice following me down the stairs. They practically scream in unison.

“Ai!”

“Ai!”

As for the screamee, Ai——.

“Daddy!? M-Mommy!?”

…… Come again?