Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 11 - Chapter 5.3

  WHERE HE RESIDES

Hot.

Heat surges through me, more than ever before.

–––So …… This is the intensity of a 3-dan division late-game, the heat of battle ……!

It reminds me of my first Sub League Entrance Exam.

It was the broken air conditioner back then, but now it’s all heat radiating from the people engaged in battle.

–––Shogi gets this intensely hot ……

A droplet of sweat falls from my cheek and lands on my right hand, which still has a death-grip on my skirt.

The crackling atmosphere only compounds the pressure I’m under.

Sota has been playing one-minute Shogi for what feels like ages.

Meanwhile, I’m mere seconds away from running out of waiting time.

As for the board …… I’m facing a continuous assault, but I still have balance … barely. If I can just make it through this, then actually ……!!

–––Don’t be fooled by talent! Focus only on the Shogi in front of you!!

Mentally reprimanding myself, I hit my weakening knees with my fists for extra motivation.

I’ve always been overly fixated on this thing called talent.

As a result, I lose my cool when facing talented individuals younger than I am.

–––…… Like what happened during my instructional match with the pipsqueak for the Practice League ……

Though the handicap robbed me of my Rook and Lance, I still resorted to using off-the-board tactics I had sworn off against a little girl who only started playing Shogi three months prior.

Simply put, I ran away …

Ran away from facing a talented opponent head-on.

Because I was afraid that doing so would expose my own lack of talent.

No one can get stronger by averting their eyes from their own weakness.

“I won’t run away anymore. Not from defeat, and not from my own weakness,” I say out loud with conviction … just to make sure I hear myself say it.

Defeat is heavy.

Losing to Sota now and shouldering my fourth loss would mean …… The front runner for promotion would extend his perfect streak to 11, taking my chance to achieve 4-dan even further away than it already is, making it all but disappear.

Defeat is heavy.

Lose now, and that will be four in a row. After losing three in a row nearly drove me to take my own life, four would be scarier than death.

Defeat is heavy.

“But! That doesn’t mean I can’t carry it!!”

Then, the instant my mind became set.

“Huh?”

B-dmp! My heart beats with the force of a sledgehammer––––––and that sound escapes my lips.

Because the formations on the board in front of me shift into something else.

???

I rub my eyes with my right hand, thinking that all the strain was making them play tricks on me.

Even so, the board didn’t go away.

My eyes are closed but the board is still there.

It’s completely different from a mental Shogi board.

A crisp, clear Shogi board is right there in front of me.

Further still, the pieces on it …… are arranged in the formation I’m trying to read.

–––See …………?

It’s beyond seeing.

–––…… I feel it. The pieces resonating with each other ……

There was a time when I told Keika: “We look at where the pieces are and read the board to see what they can do. But the young men in the pros and upper ranks of the Sub League can do that without reading the board. They perceive what the pieces can do.”

Oh …… Now I get it.

That’s what this is.

They don’t need to read. They can tell with a look.

They’re not looking.

They can’t help but see.

I’ve described those beings with a sensory organ different from earthlings like this.

“They’re Shogi Martians.”

–––I ………… I can perceive pieces, too!!

Though it’s a bizarre sensation.

I feel as though I’m directly connected with the Shogi board, omnipotent in the ways that each piece can interact with all of its counterparts at the same time.

One look, and I just know.

I’m not moving the pieces around in my head …… They do that on their own with a single glance.

“……?!”

My eyes fly open, but I clench them closed just as quickly because illusion and reality start to mix, and I feel panic setting in.

Like watching the letters on a page of a book start to converge …… That kind of sensation.

“………… Now it makes sense. Putting a captured piece on your opponent’s stand is bound to happen like this ……”

I grin, reminiscing about that unthinkable rule violation.

Ika Sainokami didn’t have a full understanding of this ability. Most likely, she wasn’t used to it yet.

“Then that’s her fault!”

Promising myself that I would finally have a comeback after that bad attitude four years ago, I slowly reopen my eyes.

Then I unleash my newly awakened power!

“This is my Shogi!!”

I decide–––I will play defensively and add another Silver to my Gold and Silver wall!

“Are you still trying to defend? You can’t win if you’re always defending.”

“Didn’t I tell you? Having six of the Golds and Silvers is an advantage.”

Paying me no heed, Sota advances across the board in leaps and bounds with a Knight and a Rook. The arrow is locked and drawn, all that’s left is to release the bowstring.

However I block the arrow with my wall while seeing phantom sparks burst across the board on impact.

–––That was worldliness!!

Nothing compared to the magic the Worldly Maestro can concoct, but …… Just as relief courses through my veins, Sota reaches across the board as if to tear my heart out through my spine!

“Deploying behind her formation for pincer attack?! I never would’ve thought of that!”

“In check with 6 Nine Silver, King or Gold …… Which will it be?!”

The 3-dans who have finished their own matches are gathered around mine. One after another they are instantaneously left in awe by Sota’s move. It’s a flashy one that would stun those who can’t see.

–––But gaudy moves like that have no effect on me as I am now.

“This is payback.”

Calmly taking the Silver with my King, Sota deploys a Rook in my territory, this time to put me in check once again. A formation I already saw has manifested on the board.

And, if my hunch is correct, the advantage should go to–––me!

“I don’t mean to sound rude, but ……” says Sota with surprise after our back-and-forth concludes. “Were you always this strong?”

“I’m surprised myself. It’s like a growth spurt.”

“I think so, too! And for someone your age, I’m impressed.”

He compliments me with an innocent smile.

“But you still haven’t caught up to me.”

Then he unleashes a truly cruel move.

A single Pawn from his piece stand was all it took to nullify the Rook I snapped onto the board with all my might.

“Tsk! Monster ……”

I don’t have time to despair.

Instead, I advance my Knight to put pressure on the defending King. There is no check path, but it greatly fortifies my position.

However, Sota sees there is no check path in half a second and deploys a Bishop deep in my territory to put me in check instead.

Then, once I get my King out of the way, he shifts his own King deeper into the defenses.

–––So fast ……

Because I’ve closed the gap, I understand.

I can comprehend this prodigy’s greatness.

In the time it took me to perceive a single move, this whiz kid has read 100 as if casually skimming through a book.

If this match turns into a reading battle, would I stand a chance?

–––………… Deep.

Even over the last sequence, he most likely realized his attack would sputter if he didn’t have the Bishop there first. The me who walked into the arena earlier today wouldn’t have been able to comprehend that intention during one-minute Shogi.

–––Little by little …… Little by little, I’m catching up.

The formation looks …… No, the formation is in my favor.

Strength is on my side.

Then, with sudden urgency that even I can’t believe–––.

“Kunugi pulled his Bishop back!”

“The second round is on …… This is intense!!”

The Sub League members watching our battle have reached the boiling point.

Sota read that he couldn’t reach my King, so he switched to playing defense.

Which would mean–––.

“Did you finally notice? Did you read what you did wrong?”

“…………”

He doesn’t answer.

Another layer of his childlike composure disappears.

The defender in a Double Wing, Sota tried to overwhelm me with a rapid attack strategy but realized he couldn’t deliver a decisive blow and is now gearing up for a war of attrition.

This child overflowing with pride has come to claim victory despite his warped view of the big picture.

“I’ve lost about 100 matches since the day I was born. To living people, anyway.”

–––I’ve lost at least 10,000 …

Just as I start comprehending this outrageous claim, Sota follows it up with something even more unbelievable.

“But never have I lost twice to the same person. I’m taking this match seriously now.”

“Or so you say.”

I laugh through my nose, but I know better than anyone that what he’s saying is true.

My victory last time was pure coincidence.

I won but felt like I had been thoroughly defeated.

Which is why this time, for sure …

“I’ll crush you.”

It’s reverse logic, but the very fact that Sota pulled back to defend could only mean that the formations were that much in my favor.

Now, while he’s wavering …… is my only chance to attack!!

“Hiyaaaaahhhhh!!”

I invigorate myself and deploy a Silver right in the gut of his King! Even if I end up losing it, I WILL get that King out in the open!!!

Then, with Sota’s King on the edge of the board, I level a Lance right at its head.

“Go ahead! Try and block this!!”

“…………”

Sota flips a piece around between his fingers while scanning the board with his eyes, looking for something. It’s a …… Silver in his hand.

He deploys it in a place I had to see to believe.

9 Four Silver?!

“Silver?! …… A Silver, there?!”

That’s a move I would never play even if I had three chances to relive my life. It’s basically the same as exposing your chest to the tip of a lance’s blade as if offering up your heart. Reckless beyond belief.

Further still, I can take either that Silver or his Horse by simply retreating my Dragon. It’s a bad move at first glance, and a horrible move any way you look at!

“Kunugi is going for broke!”

“Human beings don’t play like that ……”

There are more Sub League members watching our match now than I can count.

Not a single one of them saw this move coming.

–––This …… is a battle between those who can see!!

When two players who can read moves in an instant collide in the late game, their only option is to play moves that the other wouldn’t read in the first place.

Under those circumstances, fatally bad moves are bound to turn up occasionally.

“A bad move can be a good move if it’s not exploited. So, do you know the answer?”

“Damn brat ……”

I’ll make you eat those words.

Sota deploys a series of bad moves and I work my way across the board, exploiting each one of them.

Pull back my Dragon to take both his Horse and Silver … or deploy a Rook from my piece stand to put him in check and take the Silver …… Sota has presented me with a plethora of options, but I choose to deploy the Rook, promoting it into a Dragon and descending on his fortress with my two Dragons leading the charge.

Sota plays all his moves instantaneously as if he is absolutely sure I will make a mistake.

Two Dragons and two Golds stare each other down.

I detect a certain scent in the air.

–––There’s a checkmate here! If I take them both with my Dragons, then maybe ……!!

It’s the last and most difficult problem to solve.

If I fire my two Dragon missiles, I could blast my way right to Sota’s King. There’s a possibility that could work.

All I have to do is flip the switch.

Flip it, and it will all be over.

The problem is that if I can’t finish him with this …… Sota’s counterattack will destroy me!

–––There’s no time! What should I do?! Go for it?!

Shogi players instinctually read to checkmate. The me not too long ago would’ve charged forward even without reading all the way through.

… Because I used to win that way, hoping things would work out for the best that time too.

–––But!!!!!

I’m done hoping.

Passing up on the checkmate I couldn’t read, I deploy a Knight above the King to put him in check instead.

“Ha!”

Sota instantly looks up from the board.

“Hahahahahahaha!! Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!”

And rolls with laughter.

Positively brimming with joy, Sota happily advances his King forward as if my Knight isn’t the least bit intimidating and criticizes my decision.

“You let that checkmate get away? It was your one and only chance! Your opportune moment, and you passed it up! You dropped the ball at the last possible moment!!”

“Your point?”

This isn’t over!

That checkmate doesn’t mean anything!

“Such a victory has no value.”

The voice of someone long ago echoes through my mind.

Yes, winning that way is meaningless. I’ve racked up victories by placing my hopes on an all-or-nothing sequence in the late-game, but none of those victories made me stronger.

“I will win with my own Shogi!! I trust this hand to claim victory!!” I yell, flipping the switch this time and sending my Dragon missiles across the board.

“It’s too late for that now!”

Sota advances his King out of the way.

I pursue it with a Dragon, but …… The King’s diagonal movement makes it hard to pin down.

“I told you that you can’t checkmate me with that, didn’t I?! See? Look! My King can escape by moving up the board. I’ll have you in checkmate before you can catch it.”

Sota taunts me like a kitten playing with a cornered mouse.

Then he yells like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

“You can’t even read the simplest check paths! You’re too scared to press forward for the win! It’s impossible for me to lose twice …… to a talentless person like you!!”

Wait.

I wasn’t born with enough talent?

“That simply means I never needed talent.”

A healthy body.

The talent to instantly read checkmates.

The ability to create unique strategies on the spot.

There was a time when I wanted all of that. I used to curse my feeble body. My lack of talent made me lose all hope.

However, I don’t care about any of that now.

“There’s something else, something ………… I want so much more!!”

To hear a certain voice.

To see that pathetic smile.

To go back to those days in the kid’s room.

“Ginko.”

–––I just want to be called by my name again!

I set my sights on my piece stand and reach out as if trying to grasp the hand I let go of. My eyes are seeing a sequence that starts with deploying 3 Six Knight to put him in check.

But.

–––That won’t work! That sequence won’t make it in time ……!!

I stop my hand from grabbing the Knight and grab a fistful of my skirt instead. Not enough! This hand still isn’t strong enough!

The shortest path to check won’t make it in time!!

–––It needs to be higher! Go further!

Sequences spread out before me like clouds over the horizon.

Reading deeper, wider and faster than ever before.

“……………… Oh …………………”

However these clouds of thought are hiding something very important from my eyes.

This isn’t it!

More–––––––––!!

“………… More ……………… More ………………”

I lean over the board, putting both hands down on the tatami mats for support.

All so that I can find the answer I truly desire.

“More ………… More …… More, more, more, moremoremoremoremoremoremoremore moremoremoremoreMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

The clouds part.

Breaking through, all that greets my eyes on the other side is–––open blue sky.

Going higher still, I reach out to find what else I desire that lies even further beyond.

Rather than go with the Knight–––I select a twinkling silver star.

I take it from my piece stand. The piece I chose, my piece.

The one with my name carved into it.

Then, I put it down right in front of Sota’s King! 3 Four Silver!!

“Huh ……?! Not …… 3 Six Knight?!”

Sota looks puzzled by my decision to play 3 Four Silver. The reason for it is simple, he can slide his King diagonally into the Silver’s blind spot on its side and escape.

Indeed, it’s a clumsy approach.

“But it’s enough for you.”

It’s not the shortest path or the best move.

Have a computer analyze the formations, and it would deliver a shorter sequence long before me.

However, I read this sequence to the end and saw victory.

That’s the important reality. Not getting blinded by all the bad moves.

Seeing made me understand.

Not being able to read many sequences at once doesn’t make any difference.

“Run away if you wish. No matter where you go, I will track that King down and put its head on a pike.”

“……!!”

Sota bites his lip to endure the pain and, just as I thought he would, advances his King diagonally forward to avoid the Silver.

Someone in the crowd of Sub League members around us whispers.

“So …… This is Ginko’s Shogi.”

It’s the greatest compliment I could receive.

Watching Sota’s King out of the corner of my eye, I advance my central Knight and claim a Gold for myself.

That’s my way to announce loud and clear that my King is perfectly safe right where it is.

“Now then. The only way for the boy wonder to beat Snow White is to checkmate her this turn, but ……?”

The audience members all start analyzing sequences amongst themselves, trying to find a way for Sota to checkmate me.

If even one of them finds a way, Sota will pick up on it and I’ll lose. I feel as though I’m playing against the entire 3-dan division at once.

However, I won’t falter.

I’m dead set on being the strongest one in the arena.

–––To the right of my King …… That’s where all the pieces have congregated, so his only choice is to deploy something in that area.

Either 6 Eight Bishop or 6 Nine Rook.

I have both of those options read.

–––It’s alright. Neither one can checkmate me.

However, Sota deploys in a completely unexpected spot. One where he would be throwing away his Bishop for free, right in front of my Lance at 9 Seven to put me in check!!

“Attacking from behind?!”

Some of the 3-dans can’t contain themselves, their voices piercing the air.

“He’s just giving away his Bishop!! Wh-What happens if she takes it?!”

“It’s the final stages of a late-game, and the kid keeps playing moves that don’t make any sense ……!”

“Can Snow White read it?! It’s one-minute Shogi!!”

–––One minute is more than enough.

I grab my skirt with my right hand and clench tight.

Then, I put my left hand on top.

I follow what Master always taught me about preventing rash decisions and read as thoroughly and deeply as I can …… Completely calm, I take the Bishop Sota deployed with my Lance.

“…… She took it.”

“Oh. So there wasn’t anything more to it ……”

“She’s strong.”

No one’s bothering to read the formations anymore.

Sota immediately deploys his Rook and puts me in check for the next several turns, but it’s nothing more than a wing and a prayer.

The end of a long, grueling battle is finally in sight.

–––…… I’ve made it.

Made it to the end of the 138 moves we’ve played so far, and to the place where the hundreds of thousands of moves I’ve played over the past 12 years leads.

A place that I always thought was as far away as the stars twinkling in the night sky …… But, I’ve made it.

“Haaaaaa–––––––…………”

I take in a deep breath.

–––Oh. This is what it’s like after all.

The air is extraordinarily thin.

Just a desolate space without any trees or a single blade of grass.

There is no beauty here, unlike the hometown Yaichi showed me.

This place, which I could only imagine, turns out to be more desolate than I ever thought possible.

However, this will be my battleground from now on. I want to become familiar with my new surroundings as quickly as possible, so I use what’s left of my final minute to burn this scenery into my memory.

There’s nothing here, just like the surface of a Shogi board.

A single board made of gray stones is floating in the air in front of a pitch black sky.

The only things that stand out on this ash-colored wasteland are the footprints dotting the landscape.

Some trails go straight forward while others go around in circles. Still others cut off as abruptly as they began.

Devoid of landmarks, these footprints are the only way to know that someone else has already traversed these badlands.

Some footprints look ancient.

Others are fresh.

Somewhere among them are the footsteps I’m trying to follow.

That place Yaichi brought me just once so that I could see.

I thought a simple earthling like me would die if I ever went.

But––––––––––––.

“I’m here, Yaichi.”

The snap of a piece on the board, my move.

Taking a Knight from my piece stand, I set it down snugly between the King and Rook like landing a spaceship on a new planet for the first time.

Then I leave my own footprint. A small, miniscule first step.

It took longer than it should have, but …

What I’m chasing is still far away, but …

At last, I’m standing here on my own feet. All I can do now is believe that he is beyond these footsteps.

Where the Shogi Martians live among the stars.