Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 12 - Chapter 1.5

  GIRL TALK

“Wh-What’s this about, Ginko? Showing up without calling first ……,” I, Keika Kiyotaki, ask the beautiful young girl with a frown glued to her face as I guide her into the main house.

I was looking after the Kiyotaki family business, the Noda Shogi Center, when she stormed in, but I left the classroom in the hands of one of the regular customers I trust.

Pouring a glass of cold iced tea for the clearly upset Ginko, I carefully say to her, “I had no idea you were coming …… Father isn’t around. Zaou-sensei invited him to go drinking and I don’t think he’ll be back until tomorrow afternoon. It seems like he’s always hung over these days–––.”

“That’s fine. I’d rather he not be here.”

“Oh, I see.”

I thought she wanted to talk to someone about the 3-dan division matches tomorrow, but it seems like something other than Shogi is on her mind.

In that case, it might be better to talk in the kitchen rather than the tatami room. Pouring a glass of tea for myself, I sit down at the table.

Ginko is on the other side but is silent as a rock.

“……………”

Though, I have to say …… she really is beautiful ……

Sparkling silver hair and smooth milky skin, whiter than virgin snow.

Then there are her eyes, blue as ice …… Naniwa’s Snow White truly is the perfect name for her. I wonder who came up with it?

She was pretty when she was a little girl, but she’s become absolutely stunning ever since she joined the 3-dan division. Maybe it’s the boost of confidence that came with it? Almost like a brilliant blue flame ……

“What’s wrong? I don’t know if I can solve it, whatever it is, but …… you can tell me if something is bothering you.”

“……………”

Her iced tea is sitting in front of her, untouched, as Ginko clenches her mouth closed.

This is big, that’s for sure. It’s starting to make me nervous ……

A few moments pass before Ginko asks while looking everywhere but at me, “………… You won’t tell anyone?”

“Of course not.”

“Really? Because you can’t tell anyone, ever.”

“Have I ever let any of your secrets slip before?”

“………………………”

After another minute or two of silence, Ginko finally starts to open up.

“I-It’s about ……………… m-my friend ……”

You don’t have any friends, now do you, Ginko?

My lips start curling into a grin, but I managed to stifle the chuckle. Control, control.

“Oh, a friend of yours? And what’s going on with this friend?”

“S-She ………… my friend ……… recently, got something like a boyfriend ……”

It’s here.

It’s here, it’s here, good gosh it’s here. It’s finally happened.

“That’s great news! You’ve liked him for so long, haven’t you? Congratulations!”

“Th-Tha- ………… No, this is my friend. And yes, she, um …… has liked him for a long time and he told her he liked her, too …… And she’s very happy ……”

“Happy, but it sounds like she’s got something on her mind, no?”

“…………” (Gulp)

Yep, yep. I know that feeling.

So, she’s reached that age.

It’s, what should I call it, uncertainty? Confusion? 

Those two grew up like siblings but always had a relationship that was more than friends, but not quite lovers, so figuring out what distance to keep must’ve been really tough …… Nghhh! So bittersweet!

And it sounds like Yaichi made the first move. Nicely done!

Making a mental note to praise him the next time I see him, there does seem to be some trouble on the horizon. Yes, now is my time to shine!

“And, and? What’s bothering y- …… this very happy friend of yours? Trouble with her boyfriend?”

“He, really ………… wants to do it.”

“Mn-hm.”

Ah, it’s that kind of advice she’s after.

It’s only natural, though. He’s a teenager.

That just proves he’s a healthy boy, but I can totally understand why pressing for that right after starting a relationship would make her feel like he only wants me for my body and not know how to react.

“I see. So, she’d like to know how long you should ask him to wait before bringing it up?”

“N-Not quite ……… It’s… already happened ……”

“HUH?!”

I jump to my feet before I know it, nearly knocking over my iced tea.

“I-I see ………… It’s happened already ……”

“J-Just once, though!! Only once ………… Haauuu ……”

Ginko hides her bright red cheeks in her hands. Even her ears are turning red.

J-Judging by that ………… Looks like she’s telling the truth ……

Yaichi just turned 18 the other day.

Ginko is less than a month shy of her 16th birthday.

That isn’t too early for a first time. Actually, those two have secretly liked each other for over a decade, so it feels like they finally got over that hump.

But …… yeah?

I know I did spur them on a little bit here and there, but still.

There’s a part of me that kept saying they’re still just children, so I felt safe knowing they wouldn’t go beyond that line.

Now that they’re suddenly adults …… I miss those days.

Plus, there are lots of other things to warn them about now that they’ve made it to this point. It’s really lucky that Ginko came to me so early on. I just hope it’s not too late ……

But, it happened. It’s done.

“Well, let it happen once and of course he’s going to want it two or three more times. Teenage boys aren’t known for self-control. But, the fact that he keeps coming back proves that he’s crazy about you, Ginko.”

“Well, maybe that’s true! But, the 3-dan division is …… cough, cough! K-Keika!! I’m talking about my friend, not me!!”

“Oh, that’s right. And? Keep going.”

“Right now, um …… She has to focus on studying for entrance exams. So there’s no time for a real relationship until promoting to 4-dan …… g-getting into university. He promised to give her some space, but now wants it whenever they happen to see each other ……”

“He’s that insistent, is he? It’s not like he has a lot of time on his hands, either …… If he’s showing up at your researching room, it might be a good idea to take away the key you gave him–––.”

“No, no. More like in the back hallways, out-of-sight places ……”

“Back hallways?!”

“Trying to put it in my mouth ……”

“He’s trying to put it in your mouth in back hallways?! I’ll kill him!!”

I grab the sharpest thing I can find in the kitchen and head for the door. Ginko jumps up in a desperate attempt to stop me.

“Wai-! Wait, Keika!! What do you think you’re doing with those scissors?!”

“Cut off that trash’s dragon, what else?!”

“I don’t want you to go that far!!”

And …… Ginko trails off, the tips of her ears turning bright pink.

“I-I’m …… not against the idea, just ………… too shy ……”

“He’s trying to stuff it in your mouth in a back alley somewhere and your only problem with it is that you’re TOO SHY?! Are you serious right now?! I raised you better than this!!”

“Wh-What’s the big deal?! Kissing is a way to say hello in foreign countries ……”

“Huh? Hm? …… Ginko? What’s he asking for?”

“Huh? L-Like I’ve been saying ……………… to kiss …………”

“Kiss? ………… That’s all?”

“A-All ………? He’s trying to stick his tongue in for goodness sake!!”

Ginko leans over the table, yelling at the top of her lungs.

That reaction alone is enough to know for sure she’s not an adult yet.

“He’s asking for kisses? As long as no one else is around, why not go to town? It’s not like there’s a limit to kissing anyway.”

Sigh …… I got worked up over nothing.

Turns out these two are still children after all.

“Oh, I see. Kissing. That’s a relief. Still, kissing is a big step for children who have no relationship experience. Making a fuss comes with the territory.”

“………… Ngh.”

“Just let me know if he gets bored with back hallways and wants to go to a building that looks like a castle, okay?” I say to tie things up with the bow.

But Ginko defiantly puffs out her cheeks and staunchly grumbles, “Been there many times already. Like in Sakuranomiya.”

“Huh?! T-To do what exactly?”

“I’ll leave that up to your imagination.”

“Oh, no, no, no. Please don’t, because that’s important. If anyone should see them going in and out of one of those …… And babies are no laughing matter. Women’s League players have to take a leave of absence if they get pregnant.”

“It wouldn’t be a big deal as a professional because she can get married …… I mean, having a b-baby wouldn’t be a problem …… Hanadachi-sensei made it to a title match when she was pregnant, and even got stronger–––.”

“Ohhh? This friend of yours is a Shogi player?”

“Gasp!! U-Umm …………… Employed!! I’m talking about after she gets a job! Anyone who gets the money to do something as a professional, yes? Am I wrong?”

“Sure, sure, a job. Well, you’re right in a way.”

If she still thinks I’m buying this friend story, she really is still just a child. The big night is still far off on the horizon. Light years away.

Even if she’s telling the truth about the hotel, it was probably just a spur of the moment impulse. I’m sure nothing major happened.

Sigh ………… I got worried over nothing.

Pouring myself another cup of tea, I chug the whole thing to moisten my parched throat. 

“…… So, um, Keika. I was wondering if I could ask you about something ……”

“And that would be?”

“Have you ever dated someone in the Shogi world?”

“Sorry to say this, but I haven’t.”

“Oh. ……………Then you wouldn’t know……”

“!”

You wouldn’t know …… Wouldn’t know …… Wouldn’t know ……

Those few words plunge through my heart like daggers.

Getting tossed aside by a child I’ve looked after since she was four years old, how humiliating …… To be totally honest, it hurts so much more than losing a Shogi match. The pain ……

“Then, what about from school or a part-time job?”

“A few, yes.”

I’ve dated just as much as the next girl.

I’d like to think I did better than most girls when it came to boys, actually.

“But marriage has never crossed my mind. I’ve been to amusement parks and movie theaters plenty of times, but things ended with holding hands.”

“…… Pfft.”

Hmm?

She just laughed through her nose, didn’t she?

“Okay, I see. That’s why you weren’t getting the gist earlier. You’ve never had the stress that comes from trying to hide liking someone at work and won’t understand.”

Oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?

Liking someone at work is the worst thing in the world, hmmm?

What is this, an I have a boyfriend superiority complex? This little girl is looking down at me, a single woman starting the latter half of her twenties, like she’s got a leg up.

Then, the final straw–––.

This little girl drops a bomb.

“You’re so lucky, Keika. You can focus all your time on Shogi.”

“……………………………………………………………… Sure can.”

Now I get it.

Yep. Loud and very freaking clear.

The reason talking to her now is getting under my skin finally clicks.

She’s not here for advice.

She’s here to brag.

“Very true. I have it so great. Actually, you’re the one who has it rough, Ginko. I gotta say, I’m impressed, though. No time to focus on Shogi during the 3-dan division and you somehow managed to get back on track. I’ve got nothing but respect for you, Ginko. A true super girl.”

“D-Didn’t I tell you, Keika? This isn’t about me, it’s my friend–––.”

“Want your head on a pike?”

“Hey …… That’s my line ……”

“I know you came to me for advice and everything, but it looks like I haven’t dated enough people to offer anything useful. My Shogi is weak, too. So why not ask around? You could survey everyone at the Shogi association. How about that?”

“N-No! It has to stay secret …… Keika, you can’t tell anyone.”

Saying that after coming this far, huh?

Worse, I can’t even take her at her word.

“I’m too shy to say it myself, so go tell everyone for me, Keika. That way, people will come to me and ask: Are you and Yaichi together? Come on, I want the attention!”

It’s so obvious, I can almost see it in her eyes.

I’m done. I don’t care anymore, to the point that I go to the fridge, grab a canned cocktail, flick open the tab and down that sucker right then and there.

It’s a stiff drink, okay? Got a problem?

I won’t be able to make it through this without one, all right?!

“Look, just wear one of those surgical masks if she’s worried about him trying to put it in? Physical barriers work like a charm.”

“Hmm …… A mask.”

Ginko drinks down her now room temperature tea.

“Well, I’ll pass along the suggestion.”

“Yes. Please let your friend know.”

Would you pass along this message while you’re at it?

“Drop dead, normie. Want me to end you?” 

’Kay, thanks.