Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 1 - Chapter 5.1

☗ AI’S PARENTS

A man that carries himself with the air of an old warrior.

“My name’s Takashi Hinatsuru.”

We are at the association’s first floor restaurant Twelve.

Sitting across the table from us, Ai’s parents are rather subdued, completely different from their energetic daughter. It’s almost scary ……

“…… My father is our inn’s chef.”

“…… I see.”

Ai quietly whispers into my ear next to me.

Her father, whose air just screams “artisan!” reminds me a lot of Master Kiyotaki. Not that he seems the type to pee out his workspace window, it’s more, I don’t know, the air about him?

“Kuzuryu-sensei, it was a pleasure to host the Ryuo Title Match.”

“I-I should be the one thanking you ……”

“I regret not being able to greet you in person as my duties in the kitchen prevented me from leaving my post. Please allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate you on becoming the youngest Ryuo in history. Also, I’ve come to apologize for all the trouble my daughter has caused, knowing full well words will never suffice.”

With that, he lowered his head and I’m the one who doesn’t know what to say. This feels weird, as if Master were bowing his head to me ……

However.

Things were about to get much more uncomfortable.

“I’m Akina Hinatsuru.”

Now it’s Ai’s mother’s turn.

“I oversee the day-to-day operations of our family’s inn, HinaTsuru. It really was a pleasure hosting you, Kuzuryu-sensei, and all of our guests from the Shogi world.”

She looks exactly like Ai, a bombshell …… But her heavy air and thorn-laden polite voice send chills running down my spine.

It was the Ryuo Title Match, when I earned my title of Ryuo.

Taking place over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, people involved with Shogi from all over Japan gathered at the HinaTsuru on that premium Christmas weekend to watch the season’s final title match.

There’s no way the match’s after-party wouldn’t get a little out of hand.

My drunken Master said something crazy like “I am … Shogi!” before doing something even crazier, throwing off his robe and stripping down to his boxers. He forced me to strip down myself and all the young pros from Kansai that came to cheer me on followed suit. Then, everyone ran out into the lobby and started playing “human Shogi” in nothing but their skivvies. That’s when some reporter on the scene got the fantastic idea to broadcast that game live over the Internet. People were talking about it for weeks.

I don’t want to remember what happened that night, and I’m sure that the inn’s staff doesn’t have fond memories of that deplorable evening …… yeah? Seeing me brings them flooding back in. One after another.

Burying memories of that awkward night as deep as possible, I force a smile and say, “W-Well, you’ve already come this far. Why not have a bite to eat? I recommend the ‘Extraordinary Pork Beauty.’ It’s really good.”

I open the menu and explain.

By the way, the ‘Extraordinary Pork Beauty’ is an original creation by the chef here at Twelve. They take a tender piece of pork, add a light breading, and then smother it in a sweet sake sauce to make this tasty dish. The name is a bit strange, but I like it. They also have another one called ‘Dynamite,’ but that name is so out there that I don’t remember ever ordering it.

“I’ll have the ‘One Bite Head-Over-Heels Cutlet’ lunch set. How about you?”

“The same.”

“O-Oh, all right then …… Ai, what would you like?”

“Buttered rice!!”

When all was said and done, only I got the ‘Extraordinary Pork Beauty.’ It’s really good …… But that name ……

The food came and the conversation started back up once everyone except Ai was finished. She’s scooping the rice into her mouth, but there’s so much on her plate and her mouth is so tiny that she won’t be finished anytime soon. Just take your time …

“If I may … about you taking on my daughter as an apprentice …”

Her father wipes his mouth with a napkin and continues.

“My wife and I have discussed this at great length and decided——to oppose this arrangement. We can’t allow her to be any more of a bother than she already has been to someone as prestigious as yourself.”

“Nhhh!! MUMMMM!!”

“Ai. What have we told you about speaking with your mouth full?”

Scolded by her father, Ai shovels even more rice into her mouth and chews at a blistering pace. Hang in there.

Twelve knows how to make a delicious pork cutlet, but even that wasn’t enough to make her parents more willing to listen.

“W-well … I can’t deny that sending your daughter to live with a complete stranger to train might seem a little bizarre in this day and age …… It’s only natural that you, as her parents, would be against it.”

“No. That’s perfectly fine.”

Say what?! Perfectly fine?!

“In our lines of work——whether it’s managing an inn or working in cuisine, living with your instructor is common practice. I have been told that Shogi is much the same.”

“That, well …… Why yes. That …… That it is ……”

I make my responses as vague as possible.

Live-in apprentices are a dying breed in the Shogi world. I’m pretty sure that Big Sis and I are the only ones under forty who have done it. Master Kiyotaki must have left out that detail when he spoke to them.

“I firmly believe that children need to be separated from their parents when training to become truly skilled in any occupation. I have no words to express my gratitude to you for accepting our daughter into your home, Kuzuryu-sensei.”

“You’re welcome.”

“However, whether or not this is the best option for our daughter’s future is another issue entirely——. The point is, would becoming ‘a Women’s League player’ be in our daughter’s best interest?”

Ai’s mother cut in before her father could finish what he was saying.

“Being her mother, I took the liberty of doing my own research …… Women’s League players rarely have a steady income, they have a surprisingly large amount of vacation time, and many retire at a young age, correct? I would like to hear what you have to say on the matter, Kuzuryu-sensei.”

“Alright then ……”

I pause for a moment to gather my thoughts and nod. “It’s true that becoming a Women’s League player doesn’t guarantee a bright future.”

“Master?!”

The last bits of rice finally gone from her plate, Ai anxiously tugs at my sleeve.

But I just give her a reassuring look before continuing my spiel.

“They don’t have anywhere near as many matches as the main leagues and are paid less per match. Their remuneration from other parts of the job is also lower than men. It’s true that they don’t have as much financial security. However,” I go on, “In Ai’s case, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

“And why do you say that?”

“Because Ai is gifted with extraordinary talent,” I state with confidence. My voice naturally starts burning with enthusiasm. “At the rate she’s growing, I have no doubt that she’ll claim a Women’s Title. Considering her bubbly, friendly personality, Ai would be a shoe-in to give lessons or even get recruited as an assistant on Shogi TV shows. They make a lot more money than secretaries working in some offices.”

“……”

“I can attest that doing what you love for a living isn’t all fun and games,” I say, remembering those dark days when I was getting crushed under the weight of my losing streak——before Ai came. There’s nothing more painful than being rejected by what you enjoy. “Then again, a life where you can’t do what you love as much as you would like can’t be considered a good one. At least, that’s what I believe ……”

It’s not like just anyone can become a pro Shogi player.

In a world where the vast majority of people give up on the dream, it’s much worse for someone with the necessary skills to miss out on the opportunity to go pro.

“A valid point ……”

A thinly veiled grin appears on Ai’s mother’s face.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but how many apprentices have you trained, Kuzuryu-sensei?”

“Actually …… Ai is my first ……”

“So how is it that you understand exactly how talented Ai is? How can you claim that she’ll win a title under your tutelage?”

“……”

“You seem quite confident, but are your clear lack of credentials enough to place the future of someone else’s child in your hands?”

She’s talking down to me, like I’m just a kid. Ai’s father immediately defends me from his seat next to her.

“Listen to yourself! How can you be so rude?!”

“You will be quiet, please.”

“Okay.”

Sir?! Don’t you think that was too quick to throw in the towel?!

Ai whispers quietly into my ear.

“…… He took my mother’s name and married into the business, so he can’t go against her.”

“…… Sure looks that way.”

He won’t be much help ……

“I’ll ask you again, Kuzuryu-sensei. Are you saying that your teachings can mold my daughter into a titleholder?”

“Well, I——.”

“Yes, he can!!”

That wasn’t me, but Ai. She made her feelings known with her spoon still clenched in her fist.

“Master is a great teacher! Always kind, but strict, with a great technique and stamina …… We kept going until morning the very first night!”

“……”

“……”

“Sh-Shogi! She’s talking about Shogi?! That’s all I’ve been teaching her?!”

Not only are Ai’s parents looking at me suspiciously, the chef here at Twelve is too. Why?

“…… Anyway.”

Ai’s mother coughed as though trying to break that awkwardness that comes from a love scene showing up on TV when watching as a family. Then.

“We’re taking Ai home with us. I’m sure you understand.”

“NOOO!”

Ai jumps under the table and latches onto the central table leg, ready for a long defensive bout before I can get a word in edgewise. An anaguma in Shogi terms. Solid as a rock.

“I’m not going home! Dara!!”

“Is that any way to speak to your mother yaine!”

Mother and daughter start arguing from above and below the tabletop. What the heck’s going on ……?

I turned her father and quietly asked, “Um, sorry, but what does dara mean?”

“It’s a word that means something along the lines of idiot or feces.”

Oh ……

That means that Ai has been calling Big Sis something along the lines of idiot or feces with an angelic smile on her face this whole time. Big Sis’ll kill if she finds out—namely me!

I’ve got to make sure the truth never comes out …… But it’s all over if Big Sis ever checks the Internet. So, my cause of death would be the Internet? Talk about an enemy. But, I still gotta know. Am I sick?

I build up the courage and address Ai’s mother.

“It’s true that my teachings alone may not be enough. However, there is a Shogi league specifically designed to help women become professionals. She’ll receive tried-and-true instruction there.”

“What’s it called?”

“The Practice League. Women can turn professional after training there and attaining a certain level. In a way, the entire Kansai branch of the Japan Shogi Association will be involved in training your daughter.”

“……”

“Ai’s already registered to take the Practice League’s entrance test, so why not wait and see the results for yourself before making your decision? The test is tomorrow.”

“Listen you, he’s made a very solid argument ……,” Ai’s father passionately interjects, taking some of the pressure off me.

The girl cautiously pokes half her face over the tabletop like a hermit crab. Cute.

“So, this Practice League, What is it? What kind of test is required to join?”

“She’ll have to play three consecutive handicap matches …… against prospective professionals and full-fledged pros. Her performance determines whether or not she can join.”

“…… I see.”

Ai’s mother slowly nods.

“Should Ai win all three matches, I will allow her to join the Practice League.”

“A-all three?!” Ai and I blurted out the same words in unison.

Even her father stood up to state his case.

“Are you serious? You can’t possibly expect——.”

“You will be quiet, please.”

“Okay.”

Father, sitting.

“If our daughter truly has as much talent as you claim, she should be able to pass this test with a perfect score. Am I wrong?”

“Um, not wrong …… It’s just, this isn’t that kind of test. It’s not necessary to beat the examiner to pass. Even if the test-taker loses every match, they can still pass if their technique is sound. So please——.”

“That information is irrelevant.”

Ai’s mother cuts me off like a slap to the face. Me, silent.

“Even playing against professionals, if she can’t win with the benefit of a handicap, that means she wasn’t that talented in the first place, correct? Just because they’re professionals doesn’t mean they’re the best of the best. A truly talented player should have no defeat in three matches in a row. Am I wrong?”

Expecting the impossible maybe ……

Novices often make this mistake, but just because one player is better than another doesn’t guarantee that they can win.

We call it a one-up or two-up ratio, where one player’s skill is equal to having the advantage of one big piece over their opponent in an even match. The lesser player could still win a third of the matches.

No matter how talented Ai is, no matter how much of a handicap she’s given, there’s no guarantee that she, who started playing less than half a year ago, can win three matches against far more experienced players.

I open my mouth to start explaining that, but.

“I won’t lose!”

Ai crawls out from beneath the table, matching her mother’s a strong tone tit for tat. Grabbing onto my arm, she argues with her in their dialect.

“Master has taught me so, so much! I’ll never, never lose gaine!!”

“Prove it,” her mother arrogantly retorts. “Win every match and I’ll allow you to keep training. However, the deal is off the moment you lose and we go home. Is that clear?”