Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 10 - Chapter 1.4

  CAT-EARED PRINCESS LOLI, ON THE SCENE!

And so, Kanegasaka-sensei takes Mio, Ayano and Charlette with her out the door. Grade Schooler Practice Sessions aren’t going to be happening at my apartment for who knows how long.

The issue of Ai being my live-in apprentice seems to be on hold for now.

“Wow, it’s already evening …… Ai, it’s been a long day, so why don’t we have food delivered?”

“Yaaay! Delivery! I want pizza!”

“Pizza, sure. I’ll order it, so go take a bath.”

“Okey-dokey!”

Already flinging clothes off her body, Ai heads straight for the tub.

Exhausted, I trudge into my room and flop down onto my bed.

“…… I just can’t tell if that teacher understands Shogi or not. Her attitude did a 180 as soon as the King of Naniwa tournament came up ……”

“I knew you could do it, Master! So convincing!”

Grimacing as my apprentice’s voice comes through the bathroom wall, I answer, “Either way, I want you to focus on getting into the Women’s Legend League. That’ll make me happier than anything else and it’s necessary for your career, Ai.”

“I will! Just watch, I’ll claim my own Women’s Title!!”

“Please. Seriously, please. Your mother’s been putting a lot of pressure on me recently …… I had a chance to go back to The Hinatsuru Inn for the first time in months during the Queen Title Match, and she’s built a Shogi museum with you as the main exhibit. What’s worse is that there’s already a space set aside for when you have your own title ……”

“Pardon me, Master. I need to rinse my hair.”

“Ah, yeah. Sorry about that. Go ahead ……”

Fssshhhhh ……

Since Ai is getting the shampoo out of her hair, our conversation gets cut off.

“I’d better blow dry it for her before we play Shogi ……”

A full cycle of seasons has passed since we started living together.

I made a promise to her parents when I took her as my apprentice: she’ll have a Women’s Title before she graduates junior high.

Ai is a prodigy among prodigies and her skills are growing like mad.

Her younger sister apprentice, Ai Yashajin’s recent accomplishments seem to have hit home and she’s more motivated now than ever. This is the perfect time to get her to the next level!!

It is, but….

“The current Women’s League isn’t so soft that just anyone can claim a title ……,” I mumble to myself as I pick up the magazine I started reading earlier.

There is an interview with the Thorn Princess Azami Hanadachi women’s 5-dan and the Practice Session Crusher Tamayo Rokuroba women’s 2-dan inside.

“They very gently pointed out that there’s a hole in Ai’s Shogi, the early game. It is true she’s struggled with it ever since her debut, but ……”

There are six Women’s Titles right now.

Two of them, Queen and Women’s Throne, are held by Big Sis. Therefore, no one else is getting those.

Then, would Empress be the one to go for?

Worldly Thunder Ika Sainokami has it right now. When it comes to talent, she’s a monster with even more than Big Sis. Ika also has a winning record against pros.

“Ai has beaten Ika before …… But there was next to no waiting time and a live audience watching. Ika was way too overconfident as well. Ai will need a lot more experience to beat her in a series with plenty of waiting time.”

Then, what about Women’s King?

Ryou Tsukiyomizaka’s title is decided by a series of three matches and they’re all short on waiting time.

If she can make it to the late game, Ai stands a chance.

“Then again …… She doesn’t look like it, but Ryou spends a lot of time researching. Then there’s the fact that she can pull off so many different aerial strategies like Side Pawn Capture and Double Wing Attack ……”

…Which is why she’s been nicknamed the Aggressive Archangel. Ai’s strongest strategy is the Double Wing, but Ryou flattened her so easily it was like taking candy from a baby.

“That was the match that showed the whole world Ai is weak in the early game …… If I make her study up on the early game like Ms. Hanadachi and Ms. Rokuroba are suggesting, she might get somewhat of an advantage, but….”

But, there’s a reason I don’t want to do that.

“Because if I did …… Ai would never claim a title.” 

Then what about Yamashiro Ouka? Machi the Tormentor is also registered with the Kansai Shogi Association, making her a wall that Ai will have to break through at some point in order to thrive.

“That also means Machi is making a plan of her own. Since she also works as a Shogi journalist under the name Mato, there’s no doubt she has more information on Ai than any of the other titleholders ……”

Apparently, Machi drilled so much into her head when Ai was writing an article for Ai Yashajin’s match that now she’s started calling her Master Mato. She’s already built up quite a lot of trust with her.

“The strange thing is, it’s hard to win against someone like that in Shogi.”

That sly fox …… The battle hasn’t even started yet, but she’s already in the lead.

“At this rate, her younger sister apprentice Ayano is starting to look suspicious. Was it really a stroke of luck that the Grade Schooler Practice Group was formed? Machi didn’t have a hand in it, right ……?”

If she’s been using the practice group to get information on Ai, then its very existence is going to hold her back …… Am I just overthinking things?

Experience, early game know-how and the mental strength required for off-the-board tactics….

Ai is severely lacking in each of them. What’s worse, there’s no time to build them up.

“Which means, the last title is–––.”

Women’s Legend.

Ms. Shakando is strong enough to wipe the floor with Big Sis during practice sessions, but her Shogi is outdated.

More than that …… her skills have regressed to the point that she lost to Keika.

“I’m sure she’s busy with being the Women’s League Chairman, running her own Shogi classroom and keeping track of how her apprentice is performing.”

With all her accomplishments and experience dwarfing every other Women’s League player, she’s built up so much trust that everyone believes she should be strong… when the truth is that she’s lost a step.

“…… She’s done next to nothing in the other leagues for years. That proves it: she’s not as strong as she used to be.”

That’s especially true for her late game. There’s no way to hide it.

And there’s no one stronger in the late game than Ai Hinatsuru.

Among all five Women’s Title Holders, Ms. Shakando is the best matchup for Ai.

Even better is the fact that, despite being in the same block, Ai Yashajin lost so early in the qualifier. This is a golden opportunity.

“…… I don’t know if I should be happy about that are not.”

My first apprentice has never won against Ai Yashajin. There’s a very clear gap between their skills. Ai Yashajin has shown that she’s strong enough to hold her ground against other title holders right now.

Only one of the two Ai’s can be in position to challenge for a title.

So long as my second apprentice is around, Ai Hinatsuru will have an extremely difficult time making it to a title match.

But Ai Yashajin lost in the first round of the qualifier. She must’ve been too distracted by the Queen Title Match happening at the same time.

“Ai Yashajin still has a bit of naiveté left. It won’t last long, though.”

What’s important for Ai Hinatsuru right now is that she has a chance to get into the Women’s Legend League.

“As long as she can make it through the qualifier, she can play nine matches in the Women’s Legend Challenger League. Building up quality experience against strong opponents like that is the best thing for her ……”

Only starting Shogi two years ago, experience is the thing that Ai desperately needs.

“As long as the gears start turning …… she’ll get stronger. Should, anyway.”

She will sharpen her skills by gaining experience in the high-stakes environment known as league matches.

Then, she’ll need to win three out of the five matches in a series against Ms. Shakando as she is now.

It’s a risky plan, but ……

“…… This could very well be her best and last chance… which is why she absolutely has to win her next match in the Women’s Legend qualifier ……”

Though she was overconfident, Ai Hinatsuru’s next opponent beat the early game prodigy Ai Yashajin. She must be a strong early game player herself …… According to what Ms. Hanadachi said in the magazine, she must also have a great deal of talent.

“An Elementary Meijin? Undying Wings, huh …… I’ve never heard of her. I wonder what she’s like.”

Just as I was about to look her up on my smartphone….

Ding dong.

“Coooming!”

I say through the intercom. Who could it be at this hour?

Ding dong. D-D-D-D-D-Ding dong!

“I said I’m on my way! Stop pressing the button already!”

I always get a bad feeling when the doorbell rings and Ai is in the tub, but Big Sis is already in Tokyo for the start of the 3-dan division. I know for a fact that she’s already checked into her hotel, so the same kind of incident like last time is physically impossible. What a relief!

“But …… Seriously, who is it? Keika maybe? Or did Kanegasaka-sensei forget something and come back to pick it up? It’s too early for the pizza to be here–––.”

I open the front door with all these thoughts running through my head.

“Yes, yes. Who is it?”

Seriously ………………… who in the world could it be? 

“You have some nerve, Drakin. Making one such as I wait outside is akin to asking to be put to death.”

This young girl standing in front of me has a tongue far too sharp for her age, she has the tongue of a stage actor.

Just who is she? Seems kind of familiar ……

“Kha-ha-ha. Taken aback by the sudden appearance of one such as I? Kansai players are as daft as the rumors suggest.”

Daft ……?

Little girl ……?

Cat ears ………… Grade school girl ………?

“Attention, Drakin! Why have you yet to say a word?! You are seeing one such as I, yes?!”

“Oh! Sorry. Just, got a bit distracted.”

“Humph …… Common weed.”

W-Weed?

She certainly has a unique way of speaking. Is it trending in grade schools right now?

“Umm …… Are you one of Ai’s friends? Maybe? Sorry, she’s taking a bath right now, so if you could wait for just a few minutes, she’ll–––.”

“A friend? Laughable! No one could stand alongside one such as I!”

“Huh?” 

“The one true king throughout heaven and earth, Elementary Meijin, is I and I alone! The rest of the rabble and riffraff are no more than weeds at my feet!”

With that, the cat-eared princess loli puffs out her tiny chest with pride.

Most of what’s coming out of her mouth makes no sense to me whatsoever, but there is one part I cannot overlook.

“The …… Elementary Meijin?!”

The Elementary Meijin Shogi Tournament.

Held in Tokyo once each year, it’s a national Shogi competition held for grade school students.

In terms of history, formalities and the sheer number of participants, every other children’s tournament in the country doesn’t even come close. It’s been that way for over 40 years now.

The King of Naniwa Tournament is a big one, but …… Compared to the three months of preliminaries that take place all over Japan to set up the finals to determine the one and only Elementary Meijin, it’s nothing special.

I mean, the semifinals and finals are broadcast on TV, so the participants have time in the spotlight.

But above all else …… the Elementary Meijin has a role to fulfill that goes beyond the scope of a simple Shogi tournament.

They become idolized by every young boy and girl who picks up a Shogi piece.

And that’s–––.

“………… One such as you?”

“Your rudeness is appalling!!”

Now the cat-eared princess is angry with me. What the heck is going on?

Then again, she wouldn’t have access to my address without being involved in the Shogi world in some way, and that just leaves more unanswered questions.

“Which reminds me …… The Elementary Meijin finals usually take place around this time of year. The results are always announced on TV, so I’ve been avoiding the news a lot recently because I didn’t want to know until I had a chance to sit down and watch it ……”

But the results should be posted on the association homepage and in newspapers by now.

I take out my smartphone and start searching. This year’s Elementary Meijin’s name is–––

Maria Kannabe (Tokyo – 5th Grade)

That solves everything.

“Ayumu’s little sisterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr––––––!!”

I yell beside myself.

“Holy cow! You look just like him!!”

Picking up Maria, I lean in for a closer look. This oddball aura she has reminds me of what Ayumu was like way back when. It feels like I’ve known her for years. I could just squeeze her cheeks right here. So adorably cute.

“What is the meaning of this?!”

“A-ha-ha! Your brother’s quirks must have rubbed off on you after living with him for so long … same goes for your Shogi, too!”

“Cease this at once! One such as I shall not be treated as a child!”

We go back and forth, me teasing her when suddenly.

“Master?! What’s the matter?! I heard you yell …… ing …………”

Rushing to the front door in a panic is Ai, completely in the buff.

And …… Despite just getting out of a warm bath, her voice and gaze are chilly and getting colder by the second.

“…… Master? Would you explain why you are holding a girl with kitty ears ……? After everything Kanegasaka-sensei said, you start fraternizing with lolitas ……?”

I’m pale as a ghost and Maria looks pretty shocked, too.

“A n-nude girl?! You Loli-King! Just the kind of trash I came to expect from the word-of-mouth! Is it your intention to do the same to one such as I? Disrobe me for this vile harem of yours?!”

“Just what do your brother and the rest of the people over in Kanto think I am?!”

What the hell did they tell this girl?!

“She’s my live-in apprentice, Ai Hinatsuru! She’s a Woman’s League player, so surely you’ve heard of her!? Ai, kitty ears here is Ayumu’s little sister, Maria Kannabe!”

“God-sensei’s?!”

“Attention, weed.”

Still in my arms, Maria strikes a cool pose that she no doubt came up with at home.

“You are in the presence of the Silver Chevalier, Ayumu God Cauldron’s younger sister and the one worthy of becoming the next apprentice to Her Highness, Eternal Queen Rina Shakando–Women’s Legend! One such as I am far different from the weeds!!”

Maria introduces herself just as boldly as her brother would.

It’s impressive that she made it through all that without stuttering once, but–––.

“Huh? Ms. Shakando’s apprentice? Not Ayumu’s?”

“Her Highness deserves to be addressed as more than Ms., ’o Harem Lord Drakin!”

H-Harem Lord Drakin ……

“Ayumu …… Unable to claim the Elementary Meijin crown, the likes of a failure like him is unworthy to instruct one such as I. Only Her Highness, a success through and through, is worthy of becoming Master to one such as I! Yet Master …… Grumble ……”

What could it be? There seems to be more going on here ……

Meanwhile, Ai is on full alert as she asks.

“Are you going to join the Women’s League, too, Maria?”

“Do not consider me to be a novice like yourself, Ai Hinatsuru! One such as I, the Elementary Meijin, have only one true goal, the professional echelons! The Women’s League was never in my sights from the beginning!!”

“……!! Meaning you’re going to the Sub League ……!”

I forgot to mention it, but the Elementary Meijin Tournament also has another function.

It serves as a gateway to the Sub League.

That Meijin, Big Sis and I all went into the Sub League after becoming the Elementary Meijin.

Because the Elementary Meijin …… can skip the Sub League entrance exam.

Just winning that title alone proves that we already have the skill and talent.

“Now it makes sense …… You really are Ayumu’s sister. Not just because of those weird clothes, either. Do your best, Li’l Maria!”

“You shall not address me as Li’l!!”

I ticked her off. But I know her brother, so I can’t help but treat her like a kid.

“One such as I am the strongest of the computer-native generation! It is my destiny to become the god of destruction, annihilating old Shogi to make room for the new, Super God Cauldron!! The next Meijin is neither my sibling nor Ginko Sora! Shogi world history is about to be rewritten and the new world order shall be dictated by one such as I!!”

Only the strongest grade schooler could throw that many things together at once like a Super Saiyan God straight out of Dragon Ball. Adorable.

“…………… Master?”

Sensing something, Ai digs her fingernails into my thighs and, ow-ow-ouch! She’s going to draw blood!!

I put Maria back down on the floor and quickly put some distance between us. Then I pick up on the vibe in the room and match it by yelling, “Y-You’re one scary girl! Why in the world have you set foot in my home?!”

“Keh-keh-keh. One such as I have braved the confines of your harem for two reasons, Drakin ……” Maria sticks up two tiny, squishy-looking fingers as she declares, “First and foremost, I have come to spread the name of my clan throughout the Kansai region!”

…… What’s that supposed to mean?

“With the crown of Elementary Meijin upon my head, one such as I have come to be bestowed King of Naniwa! Today was my scouting run!”

“You’ll be in the King of Naniwa Tournament …… Say what?!”

“Ginko Sora, Ai Yashajin, Ai Hinatsuru and you, Drakin …… Your wretched clan has many in the Shogi world stating that Kansai is coming into power over Kanto. One such as I have taken it upon myself to conquer the King of Naniwa and for my clan to claim victory against you in the simultaneous Top Earners Match to conquer Osaka once and for all!!”

“!! …… Okay. Now I see what’s going on ……!”

“What is she talking about, Master?!”

“It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but …… my opponent for the Top Earners Match that will take place during the King of Naniwa tournament is Maria’s older brother, Ayumu Kannabe 6-dan!!”

“Huuh?! G-God-sensei and …… Master are …?!”

Making fun of the surprised look on Ai’s face, Maria asks, “Ai Hinatsuru. Word has reached me that you are quite skilled with Shogi puzzles, are you not?”

“Uwhee? Y-Yes. I completed the Shogi Zukou and Shogi Musou. Have you finished them, Maria?”

“Shogi Zukou, you say?! …… Hmph! S-Shogi puzzles are merely an outdated training method! Such a meaningless practice is a waste of time!! How unfortunate for you, imbecile!!” says Maria as she tries to mask her own loss by changing the subject. “And, the second reason for my presence here–––!!”

“Your second reason?!”

“…………”

She clams her lips shut tight and her eyes fill with tears before she finally squeezes out the words.

“……………… My wallet is lost ………… I have no money ……”

The world sure is a tough place ……

So, basically …… Maria, without a yen to her name, in a city where she didn’t know anyone else, sought me out by asking her brother for my address.

After that, I had Satoru Hatomachi 5-dan, the director for Kanto’s Sub League who helped both Ayumu and I out when we were there and who happened to be at the Kansai Association for a match, take her back to Tokyo with him.

She’s foolish. The princess look is cute, but so foolish. 

Then again …… Mio and Ayano are going to have to beat her.

A prodigy their age who was already strong enough to claim the title of Elementary Meijin.