Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 11 - Chapter 1.2

  SCANDAL

“This is Yaichi Kuzuryu’s phone, correct?”

I know the voice coming through the speaker very well.

The same voice called me from out of the blue just about a year ago now.

From a different number than what I have registered in my phone.

I’m positive that voice belongs to––––––Shogi Association Chairman Seiichi Tsukimitsu 9-dan.

“Chairman? I’m surprised you would call me so late at–––.”

“Is Miss Ginko Sora there?”

That one slicing move cuts off my question and my mind goes blank.

He repeats himself.

“Is Miss Sora with you? We have been unable to ascertain her whereabouts since today’s 3-dan division matches concluded. Her cellular phone is still here in the locker at the association.”

“…………”

The fact that Big Sis left the association without her phone sends a fresh shockwave down my spine. She may have seriously meant to die ……

The Shogi association recently made an official rule that forbids players to bring electronic devices into matches.

Kansai players had been putting our phones and whatnot in a locker ourselves when we came in for matches before the rule went into effect, but now we give them to a staff member instead. That’s probably how the association figured out Big Sis was missing; she never came to get her phone.

–––What should I do? Tell him? Can I trust him ……?

There are a lot of risks that come with letting anyone else know Big Sis’s mental condition right now.

It’s not that I suspect the chairman …… But if any of her opponents find out how close to the brink she is, it’ll give them the option to attack her heart while it’s weak.

Not that I blame them.

That’s just what kind of place the 3-dan division is.

–––If Big Sis loses again …… she’ll break down entirely.

Just as I was debating back and forth, the chairman ramps up the pressure.

“Miss Sora lost both matches during today’s Regular Activities. There’s a chance it was a considerable shock to her system. Word came in that she was sighted leaving the association in the pouring rain without an umbrella after her matches concluded. Should we be unable to confirm her safety, we will be forced to contact the police–––.”

“She’s here. She’s in the shower right now so she can’t hear this phone call.”

Realizing there was no way I could keep this hidden, I tell him everything.

“I’m glad to hear it. Now, please listen closely to what I have to say.”

The chairman sounds genuinely relieved but then makes a request I never saw coming.

“I would like you to take Miss Sora into hiding for a few days.”

“………………… Come again?”

“The fact that you are together right now means you were originally intending to go somewhere, yes?”

“Y ………… es,” I say with an unintentional nod. “We were, but …… Why? Why would you wan–––.”

“There is a possibility that the Meijin will receive the Citizens Award tomorrow.”

“……!”

“The first day of the final Meijin Title Match took place today in Tokyo. The Meijin had a clear advantage at the time of the sealing move. Should he emerge victorious tomorrow, the Meijin will achieve the momentous 100th title season as well as becoming the most winning player in Shogi history with 1,434 victories on the same day. Those alone more than qualify him for the award and it’s unlikely a more fitting occasion will occur in the future.”

The Meijin has come extremely close to winning the Citizens Award several times before.

The most recent one was when he was on the cusp of becoming the first Eternal Septuple, having Eternal status in all seven Shogi titles and completing 100 title seasons at the last Ryuo Title Match.

I’m the one who stopped that from happening.

“Already? Again?”

“As the government’s approval rating has fallen, those in office are adamant about bestowing the Citizens Award. The medal and certificate were bought and paid for when you fought against him during the last Ryuo Title Match, you see.”

“Adults trying to save face ……? I don’t think the Meijin would willingly accept it, though.”

“He is an adult as well,” the chairman says with a chuckle. “But, yes, he is not happy with it. I suppose that fits well with his character, however …… I plan to use any means necessary to convince him. Chances are he will go through with it.”

Okay, I’ve got an idea what’s going on here.

“Just hypothetically speaking …… If someone as popular as the Meijin—like Naniwa’s Snow White—were to go missing or attempt suicide while the Shogi world is in the spotlight … it would become the worst possible scandal, right?”

“Indeed, it would. Should a sport with as plain a reputation as Shogi have to deal with a scandal of that magnitude during one of the few instances when the nation is watching, the press would focus on that scandal rather than the Citizens Award.”

“But are you sure it’s okay to say she went on a trip with a guy?”

“Yes, because if it’s with the Ryuo, the story will be taken up by the tabloids instead. Damage will be limited to a grudge from Miss Sora’s fans. Please be prepared to receive a death threat or two.”

“………… You’re evil.”

“Why thank you. That’s much preferable to being incompetent.”

I can tell the chairman is thoroughly enjoying this.

“How is Miss Sora, if I may ask?”

“Honestly, her first losing streak in the 3-dan division hit her very hard. It’s three in a row, so her back is against the wall. Not to mention her next opponent is who he is ……”

“I see. If I were going against him, I would be tempted to run away myself.”

That’s the last thing I expected to hear the chairman say. So evil ……

“I’ve decided that the best thing for her right now is to spend some time away from Shogi to recover. She told me flat out that she doesn’t want to be in Osaka and we’re planning on leaving the city tonight. I was in the middle of getting ready when you called.”

“That sounds like a good plan. Where do you intend to go?”

I tell him the place I have in mind.

“…… I see. That destination would actually work very well.”

I was prepared for him to ask why, but he made a suggestion instead.

“There is a trustworthy hotel in the area. I will handle making reservations, so please spend the night there.”

“I appreciate it.”

“In the meantime, I will contact Kousuke as well as Miss Sora’s family to explain the situation. Not to be rude, but you contacting them may lead to unwanted misunderstandings.”

“I really appreciate that ……”

Honestly, it’s a huge weight off my shoulders.

If two teenagers like Big Sis and I stayed at a hotel by ourselves, people would think we were runaways. It doesn’t help that Big Sis sticks out even when she’s wearing a disguise. Tabloids these days would be all over a story like that.

Bing! My phone lets me know I have an email.

I’m willing to bet that it’s a hotel booking confirmation from Sasari Oga Women’s 1-dan, the chairman’s secretary who’s always at his side taking notes to assist her blind boss.

“…… Things may become rather noisy around the association over the coming weeks. Though I’m sure you have realized it yourself, Ryuo.”

“I could tell the association was trying to deal with something at the Player’s Meeting the other day …… Is that why the sudden rule change about electronic devices was made?”

Pro players and women’s players had only been forbidden to hold public matches against Shogi software up until now, but the regulations the association put in place the other day are close to overkill. It’s almost like they’re being forced to make something happen.

Instead of answering me directly, the chairman continues, “Ideally, we would like everything to be resolved without incident. But if the adversary takes an offensive stance then we have no choice but to fight. We are, after all, Shogi players.”

“Fight ……”

–––Is it a fight we can win?

It’s not like the association has people whose job is to sweep scandals under the rug like talent agencies do. Shogi players have always insisted that the association be run by Shogi players. That has resulted in an organization that always puts Shogi first, but never thinks about anything else.

When it comes to Shogi, they’re very strong.

But when it comes to things that don’t involve competition, they’re out of their element.

A Meijin who was revered and celebrated over his whole career had his legacy smeared overnight by a scandal in the past.

There was even a time when a Women’s Title Holder put in a request for an extended leave of absence but was turned into talk show fodder all because one magazine said she disappeared.

–––Would Big Sis be able to endure the same thing if that happened to her?

No. Definitely not.

The rest of the country and her opponents may see Big Sis as the soulless queen of ice, but …… I know she’s an average girl who gets hurt easier than anyone else.

–––She’s sensitive, kind …… and has always been physically fragile ……

Almost as if he could see right through my anxiety, the Chairman says.

“It is my role to protect the Shogi world. As the Eternal Meijin and the chairman of the Shogi association, I will see it through. Even by using questionable means if necessary. Therefore, I ask you to fulfill your own role.”

“My …… role?”

As a pro Shogi player?

As a title holder?

As a Master of two young apprentices?

Several come to mind, but the chairman wasn’t talking about any of them.

“Yaichi.”

Back before I joined the Sub League.

Just like when he called me by name for the first time.

In a gentle tone fit for explaining something to a kid, the man I’ve idolized my whole life, Tsukimitsu-Meijin says, “The only one who can protect Ginko is you.”

That voice instantly reminds me of the old days.

Because ……

Because that was the first role that was asked of me when I came to Osaka to take my first step down the Shogi path.