Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 10 - Chapter 1.3

  THE KING OF NANIWA TOURNAMENT

“Uhhh ……? Charlette? Why are ……? The Grade Schooler Practice Group isn’t supposed to come until later tonight ……”

Charlette flings off her shoes like coming into her own house and slips past me so naturally it’s like she’s gliding on air. I chase after the golden-haired angel, asking questions as we go.

Since it’s Friday, the Grade Schooler Practice Group members are going to spend the night. That plan had already been made.

I already set out the Shogi boards in the tatami room for that reason.

But they weren’t supposed to be here until later. That’s why I opened the door without checking to see who it was first …… I let an angel of death inside with my own hands.

On a side note, Ai can’t leave the kitchen because she has a kettle sitting over a flame to make tea so all she can do is look on with a mixture of confusion and worry. Seems like she didn’t know about this either.

The angel apparently wants to play Shogi as soon as possible and lands in the tatami room without any hesitation.

Kanegasaka-sensei must be having trouble comprehending the little blonde embodiment of overwhelming cuteness that appeared out of nowhere because her eyes are almost blank as she asks.

“And who …… Are you? An angel ……?”

“Cha is Cha!”

“Miss …… Cha? You aren’t Japanese, are you? May I ask why you are here–––.”

“You know, Cha? Cha’s dowing a pwactice sesson with eveweone today.”

“Practice session? What kind?”

“Uwmm, it’s ………… A sweep oba!”

“A sleepover.”

I’ve never resented Charlette’s bumbling pronunciation more than at this very moment.

Working something out in her head, Kanegasaka-sensei asks, “…… Are you one of Mr. Kuzuryu’s apprentices? As well?”

“Nooope.”

“You’re not? Then what kind of relationship do you have with Mr. Kuzuryu–––?”

“You know, Cha? Cha’s his bwide.”

“...”

Every trace of an expression disappears from Kanegasaka-sensei’s face.

“You know, Cha? And Masta? Cha wants to be Masta’s appwentice! But Masta said he can’t. So, you know? In exchwange? Cha gonna be his bwide!”

“Is that right …… He can’t make you an apprentice, so he’ll marry you instead ……”

Oh, crap …… Crapcrapcrap ……

“But, you know? Cha? Bewing a bwide is okway? But Cha, Cha weelly wants to be Masta’s appwen–––.”

“Mr. Kuzuryu.”

Gaze still squarely locked on Charlette, Kanegasaka-sensei says to me, “I have decided against calling Child Welfare Services.”

“Really?! Thank you so much!!”

“I will be contacting the police.”

Gaaaaaaaaaasp!!

“Teachers say that all the time, don’t they?! Especially elementary school teachers!! Whenever little kids say they love you, you say: Then let’s get married, as a joke, right!?”

“It happens, yes.”

“Then–––.”

“However, bringing said child into your domicile for a sleepover is a crime.”

“I’ve got nothing to say to that!!”

Powerless, I fall to my knees on the tatami mat. “What’s wong, Masta? Want Cha to cast a spwell to make you feel better?”

The spell that Charlette is offering to cast is a kiss on my cheek. If she did that now, I’d feel better, sure, but I’d be in prison by this time tomorrow.

“Why did my predecessor overlook such egregious transgressions?! This isn’t a practice session or anything of the sort! It’s indecent lolitic fraternization!”

Indecent lolitic fraternization?!

Just as I’m getting chewed out by this extremely new side of Kanegasaka-sensei–––.

“Charlette! It’s dangerous, running off alone like that! Try to restrain yourself!”

“Take it easy on her, Ayanon. You’re the one who said we should come over three hours early to ask Kujuryu-sensei to do it as fast as possible!”

“U-Umm …… Yes, b-but this is different–––.”

Two more grade schoolers show up in my apartment.

Kanegasaka-sensei stares at one of them in surprise.

“You’re …… Miss Mizukoshi?”

“Wow! Kanegasaka-sensei! What are you doing here?!”

Ai said that she and Mio are in the same class this year, too.

Which would mean that Kanegasaka-sensei is a new teacher for Mio as well.

So then …… Why is it that Mio still can’t pronounce my name yet but she can say Kanegasaka, which is just as hard, already with no problem ……?

That very same Mio jumps toward me, sliding on her knees like she just scored a soccer goal, and puts her hands down on the floor in front of my feet with her head low. A new technique, knee-sliding prostration.

“Kujuryu-sensei! I have a favor to ask you today!”

“Hm? A favor?”

“We–––all of us want to enter the King of Naniwa Tournament!!”

“The King of Naniwa …… The amateur Shogi tournament for grade schoolers?”

I look over at the other two girls and say.

“You too, Ayano? Charlette?”

“Yes. Practice League regular activities are not held on that day, so Kuruno-sensei suggested we enter to test our current skills.”

“Yep! Cha too!”

A tournament …… Hm.

The last one I was in was almost 10 years ago, the Elementary Meijin Tournament ……

“If you do enter, Mio and Ayano will both be in the upper grade division and Charlette will be in the lower grade division, right? Boys and girls aren’t separated, so it won’t be easy but …… I think all of you have a chance to place very high.”

“Really?!”

“But you won’t have anywhere near as much waiting time as you do in the Practice League and you’ll have to play a whole bunch of matches in a single day. It’ll be hard to win without training for it.”

Amateur tournaments are difficult in a different way from pro matches.

Which is why ex–Sub League members get steamrolled in amateur tournaments more often than you’d think.

“I understand that! I don’t think I’ll win just because I’m in the Practice League …… I already lost in the prefecture round of this year’s Elementary Meijin Tournament …… But!!” says Mio, still facing the floor, but I can tell she’s biting down on her lip to hold back the pain. “That’s exactly why I want you to train me up, Kujuryu-sensei!”

I’ve never seen Mio this determined before.

She came to me around New Year’s and said that she wanted to be a Women’s League player.

I told her to become the best female amateur Shogi player while in grade school.

She must’ve taken that to heart in her own way and now wants to be in this tournament.

Two things sparked that flame: my Shogi and the two apprentices I’ve raised.

…Which means …… it’s my responsibility to make sure she’s ready.

“…… Well, whatever you decide to do, I will be at the King of Naniwa Tournament to do a match. So I won’t be able to give you advice like a coach on the day of the tournament. If that’s okay with you, of course I’d be happy to help you prepare!”

“That’s a Top Earners Match, isn’t it?! Congratulations on qualifying!”

Top Earners Matches are special matches in which only the 12 highest earning players can participate.

They’re unique league matches that take place at tournaments all over the country where we wear kimono and play in front of a live audience. The whole thing is designed to get more grade school kids interested in Shogi.

By the way, I already know who I’ll be playing. A guy that grade schoolers are going to love is coming to Osaka. If the Grade Schooler Practice Group is there too, I’ll be fired up!

Just as my train of thought reaches that point.

“Mr. Kuzuryu. About what was just under discussion–––,” says Kanegasaka-sensei, poking my shoulder. “Is it similar to tournaments school clubs participate in?”

“In a way. As long as you think of it as a national level event, yes. The King of Naniwa Tournament is western Japan’s largest amateur event designed for children in grade school and more than 1,000 kids will participate.”

“Will Miss Hinatsuru be taking part as well?”

“No. Ai is classified as a pro because she receives money to play. Only amateurs can join this tournament.”

“…………”

I can see the gears turning in Kanegasaka-sensei’s head.

Then, she suddenly makes a suggestion.

“…… Understood. Then, here’s what we will do.”

“Yes?”

“Mr. Kuzuryu. Please instruct Miss Mizukoshi to victory in this tournament. Do that and I will acknowledge your capability to act as Miss Hinatsuru’s guardian.”

Come again?!

I have to …… make Mio win the whole thing?

“B-But, if that’s what it takes, Ai has accomplished even more impressive achievements in bigger tournaments …… That’s how she became a Women’s League player ……”

“It was Miss Hinatsuru’s extraordinary talent that resulted in her transfer from Ishikawa Prefecture, correct? That would make her the equivalent of a student scouted for a sports scholarship.”

Teachers come up with the best analogies.

“Along the same vein, Miss Mizukoshi has always been a local student. Wouldn’t she be a better example of your teaching abilities, Mr. Kuzuryu?”

“G-Good point …….”

“I will ensure full cooperation from the school. Oh yes! Would you come teach my class about Shogi?! That way, I can see your skills first hand. It’s settled!”

“Huuuh?! M-Me …… Teach Ai’s class at school?!”

“Is that a complaint?”

“N-No. Actually, any Shogi player would jump at the opportunity to get kids interested in the sport at an elementary school, but ……”

The kind of class Kanegasaka-sensei has in mind happens quite a bit: the association sends people to elementary schools to teach the kids about Shogi. Some pros are even guest lecturers at the University of Tokyo.

The association’s greatest wish is for Shogi to be part of elementary school curriculum.

If I go to the board of directors, I guarantee they won’t say no to this proposal.

“With the Shogi Association building being so close, a field trip would be nice as well! It would be a great opportunity for students to experience a work environment and perhaps see Miss Hinatsuru during a match as part of class …… Yes! There’s so much potential!”

Her eyes sparkling, Mio then yells, “So then, I can stay overnight so Kujuryu-sensei can train me for the tournament?!”

“Of course not,” answers Kanegasaka-sensei immediately. 

Figures.