Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 10 - Chapter 3.2

  MS. SHAKANDO, RAMEN CONNOISSEUR

“What seems to be the matter, young Ryuo? It will get cold if you do not eat quickly.”

Rina Shakando-Women’s Legend says and I take another look at the donburi bowl in front of me.

Soup glistening with white, fatty streaks. Thick, curly noodles.

Yes …… It’s ramen.

Hope-ken.

A pioneer in pork/soy sauce-based ramen in Tokyo, it’s a chain restaurant that is all over the country. Many Players come here after matches because it’s so close to the Kanto Shogi Association in Sendagaya.

I’ve been wanting to come here at least once.

Though, I never dreamed the timing would work out like this and I’d be lined up at the counter with these people …… It’s so surreal I can’t pick up my chopsticks ……

“I’m just really surprised that you eat ramen, Ms. Shakando …… And even if you did, I was sure you’d go upstairs to sit at one of the tables ……”

“Going up stairwells is rather strenuous for me. It’s far easier to stand at the counter like this. Besides, this is hardly my first time here.”

She sure looks comfortable standing there. The cane she always has in her left hand is propped up against the wall.

“I have even summoned a taxi to venture here from my castle in Harajuku upon feeling peckish.”

“I-I just can’t wrap my head around it ……”

Standing next to Ms. Shakando is Ayumu, constantly making sure that his beloved master doesn’t lose her balance while slurping down ramen like a brazen vacuum cleaner.

I know it’s none of my business, but that white cape of his being so close to a stray drop of flying broth has me so on edge that I can’t focus on my own food ……

“Hey, Ayumu …… Could you tone down the slurping or at least use your handkerchief like a napkin ……?”

“Enough babbling nonsense! Hurry up and dine, why don’t you?!”

Ayumu jabs the spring onion tongs in my direction and says.

“Refusing to indulge in the articulate flavors that my royal master herself recommends is a crime in and of itself!! Though …… The ignorant citizenry of Osaka, their tongues poisoned by ‘sauce,’ could never comprehend articulate flavor in the first place!! Ha–––ha ha ha ha!!”

“Speaking of Osaka, your sister paid me a visit.”

“I apologize for the trouble my obtuse sibling has caused you.”

A genuine apology and bow from Ayumu. I can’t hate this part of his personality.

The reason that Ms. Shakando invited me out tonight had nothing to do with the Player’s Meeting–––.

“I wish to discuss Maria.”

Making surprisingly cute slurping sounds as she makes steady progress through her noodles, Ms. Shakando explains.

“I had been chosen as the lead judge for this year’s King of Naniwa Tournament. The Association’s desire to interest the female youth in Shogi apparently led them to select me, the Women’s League Chairman, to fill that role. As God Cauldon was already slated to take part in the accompanying Top Earners Match, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity–––.”

“Until my obtuse sibling goes and announces she wants to partake in the tournament as well! She seems to believe that seizing victory in Master’s presence would result in her being taken as an apprentice. The utter thoughtlessness ……!”

“Really? I was impressed with her drive, to be honest. It’s normal for kids in Osaka to travel to Tokyo for a tournament, but a kid from Tokyo coming all the way to Osaka almost never happens.”

Let alone coming down for a preview before the tournament like she did. That’s just how confident she is that she’s going to win.

Sure, she talks like an arrogant brat, but she’s actually cautious and sensitive.

That’s enough to know just how much of a competitor she is.

“And, she took the Elementary Meijin crown her brother couldn’t, yeah?”

“………………….”

Ayumu says nothing, slurping down more noodles instead. That must sting.

Maria sure seemed to look down on her older brother, so maybe these two are on bad terms?

“But, you still haven’t taken Maria as your apprentice, have you Ms. Shakando? You’ll need to do that soon if you want her to apply for the Sub League this year.”

Grade school students placing in the top four of national tournaments can apply to enter the Sub League without having a master.

Yet, the fact that Maria still wants to become Ms. Shakando’s apprentice shows how much respect she has for her.

“…………. That girl, you see ……”

Her chopsticks still, Ms. Shakando stares into the murky donburi broth.

“I would have liked for Maria to have walked a different path ……”

“You call her by her real name, don’t you? Why haven’t you come up with some cool title for her?”

“Because she has yet to become my apprentice.”

So, that’s the criteria ……

“I have thought on what would be best for her until my head throbbed with pain. There have been days when I regretted teaching her Shogi altogether.”

“But, Ms. Shakando, haven’t you always said your biggest desire is to see a woman join the Professional Leagues? That’s why you’ve been so supportive of Big Sis all this time.”

“Claiming the Elementary Meijin crown does not in itself guarantee a professional debut, yes?”

“True, but looking at it objectively, winning Elementary Meijin as a 5th grader makes me think she’d have a pretty good shot ……”

“That’s precisely the problem.”

“Huh?”

“I …… cannot appraise Maria from a distance. As God Cauldron’s …… My apprentice’s younger sister, I see her as my own child. What parent would ever knowingly send their child into hellfire?”

“…….!”

I had no idea Ms. Shakando …… cared for Maria that much ……

“How could her pure adoration for me be anything but adorable? I find myself thinking absurd thoughts like, ‘if I had a daughter of my own, perhaps she would be like this’ without realizing it …… Heh. You are allowed to chuckle.”

“How could I laugh at that?! I think of my apprentices as family, too!”

If Ai Yashajin heard that, she’d probably say, “gross” and glare at me.

Even so, that’s how I truly feel. To me, Ai Hinatsuru and Ai Yashajin mean so much more than just “apprentices.”

“It’s not that I do not see Maria’s potential. However, even if she should enter the Sub League, I would prefer her Shogi to be slightly more complete than it is now ……”

“I was worried about that very same thing when my apprentices made their Women’s League debut ……”

“Because you are much bolder than I, young Ryuo. Kobe’s Cinderella is one thing, but wasn’t Ai Hinatsuru’s debut much too early? With that early game?”

“That’s what everyone says ……”

Even I can tell that Ai’s weakness is the early game.

Of course everyone’s going to point it out–––.

“The problem is …… whether or not their Shogi changes during their early struggles, right?”

“Precisely. Losing spurs growth like weeds strengthening after being trampled underfoot, but the light of victory can lead the young buds astray. The most magnificent flowers will never bloom under those conditions …… One worrying thought leads to the next in a never-ending cycle.”

“Even you have trouble making decisions sometimes, huh, Ms. Shakando?”

“But of course, I waiver. That’s why I have missed my chances to marry.”

Ms. Shakando mocks herself while staring into her bowl. Seeing his master like this–––.

“…………………”

Ayumu looks like he wants to say something.

Whether she can feel the gaze of her beloved apprentice or not, Ms. Shakando picks up the bowl and drinks down the last of the broth before continuing.

“It seems inviting you along, Ryuo, was the correct decision. I’m glad I was able to discuss this with someone who also has young students in their care. I was not intent on allowing Maria to enter the Sub League at first …… But if students under your tutelage are entering the King of Naniwa Tournament, perhaps the results could change my mind.”

“Hold up! The two Ai’s, sure, but the others are nowhere near ready for the national stage!! They could never beat an Elementary Meijin ……”

“Fufufu. My Maria is quite strong.”

The Women’s Legends smiles with pride. Is she bragging?!

“…… I have observed many promising children through the years. Many of whom that possessed enough talent to become Professional Players went astray due to misplaced guidance. Those memories …… seem to have brought out the coward in me.”

“…………”

“Quite recently, one promising talent fell into ruin …… And perished.”

Recent? A talent that …… died?

I must look really confused because Ms. Shakando gives me a name.

“Tsubasa Gakumeki.”

“Gaku …… meki?! I-Isn’t she–––?!!”

Her bowl now completely empty, the Eternal Queen uses her apprentice’s outstretched hand for balance as she reclaims her cane before saying to me with a deep grin.

“The same. She is the one your apprentice will battle next, young Ryuo.”