Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 10 - Chapter 3.1

  THE PLAYER’S MEETING

“I look up to and aspire to be like the Meijin. I want to have a title of my own one day!”

About 150 Pro Players listen to an extremely nervous newly promoted 4-dan introduce himself to the group and started judging him on the spot.

The Player’s Meeting.

It always gets held around this time of year. It’s become standard for the meeting to start with the new “full members” saying a few words to introduce themselves.

By new full members I mean the new 4-dans and Women’s League Players who meet the requirements to attend.

There are four new Pros this year and their intros are pretty much just their name, Player number, their Shogi family, and whatever they’re hoping to achieve.

–––The bi-yearly Board elections aren’t happening this year, which makes things easy.

Swallowing a yawn, I listen to what my juniors have to say.

Attendance this year went beyond what the Association expected with almost all Kanto Players present and accounted for.

On the other hand, Kansai attendance is almost nil.

Once word got out that I was going, Master and a bunch of other Pros sent me their voting rights one after another. Seriously, it just snowballed.

Their faith in me …… or should I say in Chairman Tsukimitsu, is absolute. They’ll approve any and all of the Board’s resolutions. Basically, I’m just a delivery boy for their voting paperwork.

Mr. Oishi called me yesterday.

“Take care of my line too, would you?”

That added two more papers to the pile and brought my total voter authorizations up to 20.

–––Well, I can’t really blame Mr. Oishi. He just lost his title after all.

I glance over at the scholarly-looking man with an aura to match sitting not too far away.

The new King, Yo Okito––––––Dual Title.

This room wasn’t designed to handle all the people crammed in here, so most of us are sitting three to a table …… But there’s an icy barrier surrounding Mr. Okito in the corner so no one’s venturing too close.

Mr. Okito has been so devoted to every part of being a Professional Shogi Player that he’s attended every Player’s Meeting without fail going way back.

Therefore, Mr. Oishi would see him for sure if he came here and the awkwardness would leave a bad taste.

–––There was so much fire and intensity in that title match, too. Everyone would’ve treaded lightly around him ……

So, yeah. All that goes through my head as I shake hands with the newly promoted 4-dans when–––.

“These newly inducted 4-dan members, every single one in their mid-20s. Seems you hold the crown of youth again this year, young Ryuo.”

The woman sitting next to me whispers.

“Someone even younger will be promoted next season.”

“As I hope as well. It was such a relief to see Ginko begin with consecutive victories.”

I was talking about the grade schooler 3-dan Sota Kunugi rather than Big Sis …… But it seems that Woman’s Legend Rina Shakando, a Kanto Player, assumes that a grade schooler reaching 4-dan would be impossible.

–––Well, I suppose I can’t blame her for thinking that way.

3-dan Division matches always end with split-second decision making because the waiting time is so short.

Since everyone plays “not to lose” and each loss carries so much weight, the real battle begins once every second counts.

Sota’s talent stands head and shoulders above most, but he’s been raised in a way to make sure that talent keeps growing. The downside of that is he can’t take full advantage of his talent when it all comes down to speed. He started off with two wins, but he’s certainly a long shot to make it through in one season.

Then again, once he makes it to the Pros where there’s plenty of waiting time …… He’ll send waves all across Japan.

“At this time, we would like to request that all members of the media please exit the room.”

The cameramen lined up along the walls start filing out when the moderator asked them to go.

I turn to face Ms. Shakando and the guy sitting next to her, Ayumu Kannabe, to ask.

“Aren’t there more of them here than usual? I don’t remember the Shogi world getting this much media attention.”

“…… The matter at hand is what it is.”

Says Ayumu matter-of-factly. Ms. Shakando just grins ever so slightly.

“Now that you mention it, my master said something big was going to happen. Any idea what–––.”

“Chairman.”

Just as I was asking, Chairman Tsukimitsu gets called on and makes a suggestion concerning our schedule for the day.

“Normally, now would be the time to discuss financial matters but there is something of great importance that requires our attention. I move to begin deliberations as soon as possible.”

“I have no objection. Please explain the situation.”

“Thank you. Ms. Oga …… If you please.”

“One acknowledges she is overstepping her position, but one shall provide details.”

Stepping out from behind the Chairman, his secretary Sasari Oga takes hold of the microphone.

“Due to the considerable advances in Shogi software achieved last year, there has been an increasing number of people inside and outside of the Shogi world voicing concerns pertaining to the way electronic devices are handled during league matches.”

Shogi software? Electronic devices?

Don’t tell me ……

“The Board of Directors has taken these concerns to heart and therefore proposed the following changes. Please refer to the handouts as I provide further explanation.”

I take a small stack of papers from an association employee passing them out. It’s much thicker than usual.

“Specifically, Players must remain on-site during matches, including break time, and are forbidden from carrying any device capable of broadcasting or receiving outside signals including cell phones. All Players must submit to a metal detector screening before and during matches. Punishments for violation of this rule include–––.”

There’s no end in sight to these new regulations.

Surprise and disbelief spread throughout the room like a shockwave.

“These new policies will of course apply to title matches as well. Specifically, Players must always remain on the premises during two-day matches, may not carry any electronic devices, and must submit their luggage for inspection–––.”

Now, the mass of Players who’d been quietly listening start making objections.

“W-Wait a second here! Two-day matches as well?!”

“In effect, these regulations were drafted specifically for two-day matches.”

Says Chairman Tsukimitsu.

“In the event the arena and lodging are located separately, Players must always be accompanied by an Association employee when in transit. Also, all communication devices and personal computers will be left in that employee’s care, including overnight while the match is in session. Please inform your families to contact the Association in case of emergencies.”

“S-So …… We’re going to be prisoners at a hotel for three days including the arena inspection?!”

These new strict regulations have the attending Players up in arms about the reason they had to be made rather than the rules themselves.

“…… Who’s fault is it that we suddenly have to follow these rules?”

“…… If you ask me, the guy that just took a title seems suspicious.”

“…… You’ve got a point there. It’s one of the two-day match ones ……”

“…… Doing all this won’t make a lick of difference. The man’s pretty much got a machine built into his head.”

That kind of conversation is happening all over the place, but they’re not really trying to keep their voices down.

Everyone’s eyes are focused onto the corner of the room.

“…………”

But if Yo Okito-Dual Title heard them, it sure doesn’t look like it. He’s reading through the handouts like there’s no tomorrow.

Mr. Okito has two titles: King and Crown. Both use the two-day format.

And, the Crown Challenger match is right around the corner.

One person playing in it is–––.

“…… Should you become Crown Challenger, young Ryuo, you will be the first to experience these new two-day regulations, yes?”

“Well, I’d have to deal with them anyway during the next Ryuo Title Match. Besides, most Kansai Players have voluntarily put their smart phones in the Player’s Room lockers for years now.”

These rules are obvious for younger Players like me who have always been inundated with Shogi software.

Actually, it’s surprising that it took this long to make them.

Quite a few people are speaking up against the new rules, though.

Retired Players and veterans are being particularly harsh …… It’s almost like they’re blaming Chairman Tsukimitsu and Ms. Oga for the whole situation.

“…… We understand that there are many opinions on this matter, however the issue is not exclusive to Professional Shogi.”

Taking hold of the mic, Chairman Tsukimitsu explains in a stiff tone.

“It is imperative that Professionals set a precedence to be followed to help prevent rule violations at amateur tournaments. As adults with responsibilities to ourselves and society as a whole, self-regulation is possible. However, the same cannot be said for children.”

Kids …… huh.

I immediately think of Ai and the other girls in the Grade Schooler Practice Group.

Them, cheating? I wouldn’t even consider it.

Which is why even though I know the regulations are necessary as I cast the approval votes …… I still feel like I’m betraying them somehow.

Almost as if he read my mind, the Chairman makes one last remark.

“I understand that this isn’t easy, but I believe it is our duty as Professionals. Moderator, the vote please.”

The new regulations pass …… By a hair.

After that, the meeting proceeds like always with budget decisions and whatnot. The sun has already set by the time we finish up.

Normally, this would be the time everyone would be deciding where to go for drinks.

But, it seems like the shock from the first topic up for discussion is still too strong. Everyone’s keeping their voices down and their eyes on who’s listening …… I guess they’re being careful about choosing their drinking buddies tonight.

Amid all that, I hear someone address me–––.

“Well, now …… Young Ryuo.”

Borrowing her apprentice’s arm to climb out of her chair, the Eternal Queen speaks with such elegant conviction that the idea of turning her down doesn’t occur to me.

“Dine with us. I know of a splendid place.”