Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 10 - Chapter Aft

FOR THE AFTERWORD: CONGRATULATIONS

“Shogi truly is fun. I can say that after my loss yesterday, so there’s no mistaking it.”

Masayuki Toyoshima-Dual Title made that statement back when he held a 6-dan ranking.

Toyoshima-sensei’s first match as a title challenger when he was 20 years old ended in crushing defeat.

He then greeted the children participating in a Junior Shogi Tournament the very next day with those words.

The Shogi world’s top three: Yoshiharu Habu, Akira Watanabe, and then Masayuki Toyoshima.

Despite his exceptional talent and being seen as the next generations’ most dominant Player, Toyoshima-sensei would fall just short of a title for many years to come.

As fellow Kansai Players his own age were passing him by to claim titles for themselves, he apparently dealt with a great deal of internal struggles even though on the outside he appeared to take everything at his own pace.

After claiming his first title, Kisei, Toyoshima-sensei opened up during an interview and said, “From 25 until now was the worst time in my life.”

“I’d loved Shogi since I was a little boy because how purely fun it was to play. There was a time I certainly didn’t think so, but I was able to persevere thanks to all the support from those around me.”

He told the interviewer with a bashful smile.

Nearly eight years had passed since that first time he challenged for a title.

Now, on a completely different note–––.

Shirabii-sensei, the illustrator for “The Ryuo’s Work is Never Done!” won first place in the “Kono Raito Noberu Ga Sugoi! (This Light Novel Is Amazing!)” Illustrators’ Division in 2018!

Since Shirabii-sensei has already had an illustrious career spanning all sorts of media beyond light novels, “Ryuo” is nothing more than one line on his impressive resume.

Even so, I don’t think that I need to explain that all the passion and effort he commits to his pieces go beyond simply “working.”

Never compromising when it comes to character design, Ginko’s crystallized snowflake hairpin and Yaichi using Keika’s black hairband when he was a kid (take a look at Book 3’s cover art!) are just a few of Shirabii-sensei’s suggestions.

He even came up with season-specific designs for each character (summer clothes from Book 4!) and even redesigned the kimonos with new patterns and accessories ……

It also goes without saying he doesn’t compromise for his other projects, either. Always working on multiple series simultaneously, like his weekly illustrations for Yomiuri Newspaper’s weekly publication for teenagers called “Isekai Shugaku Ryokou”(Field Trip to Another World), I believe he is worthy of this number one ranking in terms of both projects and sheer number of pages. There are times it’s hard to believe he’s human.

Why would he take on so much work ……? Actually, I asked him just that a long time ago. Why are you so dedicated?

“I like light novels.”

That was his answer, along with a bashful smile.

There’s no relation at all …… and yet, weirdly enough, he reminded me a lot of Toyoshima-sensei.

Shirabii-sensei, congratulations.

It’s truly an honor to get to work with you like this.

All the beautiful illustrations are given, but your professionalism and gentle treatment of my work has taught me so much during our time together.

I started writing “The Ryuo’s Work is Never Done” during the darkest days of my life.

But, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I am right now.

I was able to overcome my own struggles thanks to the characters that you brought to life, Shirabii-sensei. I’m positive that I’m not the only one whose life your work has changed for the better.

Thank you for liking light novels so much.

It’s too embarrassing for me to say these words face-to-face so …… I decided to congratulate you like this.