Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 13 - Chapter 1.1

GRADE SCHOOL SUMMER VACATION

I …… Ai Hinatsuru heard how this all started from the man who owns Twelve when no one else was around. It seemed to start out something like this.

“I’ll have the butter rice.”

First floor of the Kansai Shogi Association building at the restaurant called Twelve.

Since the restaurant is inside the building, they make and deliver food for players to eat during lunch. My Master, Yaichi Kuzuryu-sensei, and his older sister apprentice, my Aun- …… Ginko Sora-sensei, have been regulars here for more than 10 years.

They sat side-by-side at the counter and ordered lunch a little later than usual. Both said what they wanted without looking at the menu.

“Dynamite, C Set.”

“…… You always order that, don’t you, Big Sis?”

“Problem?”

“No, I wouldn’t say that, but ……”

“Then, why are you eating butter rice like a child, Yaichi? It’s about time you started acting like you’re a title holder, don’t you think?” Sora-sensei snapped back at her mumbling little brother apprentice. 

So, Master explained his reasoning has clearly and as upbeat as he could.

“Butter rice always looks so good when Ai orders it. She let me have a bite the other day and it was fantastic! Seriously, it’s the kind of flavor you get hooked on. You should try it for yourself, Big Sis. I’ll let you have some of mine.”

“………”

Ai–––bringing up Ai Hinatsuru, the name of the elementary school girl living with him (That’s me! He’s talking about me!), made Sora-sensei’s mood turn sour.

Her already sharp glare turned even sharper, and she puffed her cheeks just a little bit. He-he-he!

“Here you are, one butter rice.”

“Thanks! Yeah, that’s the stuff♪”

Master respectfully took the plate with both hands, but he didn’t notice Sora-sensei’s angry stare. That butter rice was all he was thinking about!

Mixed in with a full plate of golden rice were big helpings of shrimp, mushrooms and green peppers.

Then he took in the warm wonderful smell.

There’s not much to butter rice, but I love it. It’s the best …… and it reminds me of a very important day in my life.

Anyway, Sora-sensei’s mouth watered so much that she had to gulp it all down.

Ohhhhh? Didn’t she just say butter rice was for children? The body can’t lie, can it? It’s because she is still smooth and flat in those places!

“What do you think, Big Sis? Doesn’t it look delicious? You can have some if you want?”

“…………”

Stare …… Sora-sensei’s eyes were locked onto Masters butter rice, but then followed his spoon up to his lips. Hmmm ……!

She changed the subject, but her bangs seemed to bug her the whole time.

“…… More importantly, we need to talk about the trip next week.”

“Oh, yeah. Yes, we do.”

The Mynavi Women’s Open Shogi Tournament Preliminaries had just ended. The Shogi world’s short summer vacation had started.

As the Queen title holder, Sora-sensei will have to wait until the Mynavi Finals are over to find out who she has to play. But she had the five-match Women’s Throne Title Match and a chance to promote into the Sub League’s 3-dan division to worry about before then.

On top of all that, she’ll have even less time once school starts up again. So she absolutely needed this getaway Shogi camp to get better as quickly as possible.

…… That’s what she wanted everyone to think, but I’m sure what she really wanted was an excuse to be alone with Master away from me and the others!

“We’re going where you go every year on Awaji Island, right? The inn close to the beach.”

“Yes, we are, but …… There’s been a snag.”

“Huuh? What could possibly come up with a place that only has sand?”

“It’s not the location …… There’ve been some …… cancellations ……”

“Cancellations? Who?”

“Sir Ayumu ……”

“Sir? …… You mean Kannabe-sensei? Why?”

“Apparently, the designer for his favorite foreign brand up and decided to put on a last-minute show here in Japan, and he wants to go there instead.”

Ayumu Kannabe-sensei is a professional Shogi player from Kanto and also one of Master and Sora-sensei’s oldest friends.

He likes to call himself Ayumu God Cauldron and is rather unique. Like … he wears capes. Since I hadn’t met anyone else from Kanto, I thought everyone over there was like that at first.

Sora-sensei knew what God-sensei is like but gave up with an annoyed sigh.

“He never changes …………”

“Nope ……”

Everyone in the Shogi world has their own values and tastes. It’s said that the ones who stay true to who they are no matter what other people say are the ones who become professionals …… So I think that Sora-sensei is jealous that God-sensei doesn’t feel any pressure.

… Because going back on a promise isn’t an option for her.

Especially not when the new plan has nothing to do with Shogi ……

Gaps in talent show up in little ways like this every day. They leave marks on your heart that pop up the next time you play against them.

That’s why the best way to protect yourself is to pretend not to care. Watching Master recently, I’ve learned that being oblivious is a talent too. 

“Well, one less person won’t make much of a–––.”

“A-About that …… Other people have canceled, too ……”

“Who?”

“All of the guys, other than me ……”

“HEY?!”

“Yes?!!”

Wham! Sora-sensei hit the table hard. All those years of living with her made Master reflexively jump out of his chair and protect himself.

Sora-sensei stood over him in a fighting stance and said threateningly, “That’s almost everyone!”

“See? That’s the snag.”

“They’ve found replacements, right?”

“If they had, I wouldn’t be here talking to you about it, Big Sis ……”

“Those little …… It’s common courtesy to send someone else in your place when you can’t attend a practice session. Do professionals and Sub League members have no sense of responsibility?”

“Umm …… Well, these trips have never been strictly practice sessions …… I mean, we spend most of our time on the beach ……”

“Maybe so, but the point of spending so much time together is to delve deeper into each other’s Shogi senses than you normally could, right? That’s clearly a practice session. And they just–––.”

“Big Sis. Your phone just buzzed.”

Sora-sensei broke off in the middle of her rant. Apparently, seeing the look of relief on Master’s face irked her.

I’ll punch him after this is the look she had on her face when she picked up the phone and saw–––.

“…… A message? I wonder who …………… Huh?!”

“Wh-What’s wrong?! Who’s it from, Big Sis?” 

“…… Machi.”

“Machi sent you a message? What does it say?”

Machi Kugui-sensei holds the Yamashiro Oka title and is one of Kansai’s best-known players. She’s also been close with Master and Sora-sensei since they were kids just like God-sensei.

Born into a family that descended from nobles in Kyoto, there are a few irritating things about her, like her chest size, but she isn’t the type to break a promise …… is what Sora-sensei thought (I don’t think so, though. I see her as a second Master, really!).

At least she did until reading that message.

“………… Her family decided to take a trip out of the blue and now she would like to cancel her spot ……”

“Whaaat?! With her gone, it would just be the two of us going!”

“T-True ……”

“What are we supposed to do now? Canceling reservations will cost money and finding people to take their places now is going to be a major pain,” Master groaned with his head in his hands on the counter.

Meanwhile, Sora-sensei kept saying “true,” but couldn’t leave her bangs alone. Then she completely changed her tone.

“B-But …… Maybe it’s easier this way? W-We can have the place to ourselves ……”

“Huuuh? That’d be exactly the same as us practicing in the Association Player’s Room like we always do! That’s boring.”

“Ugh ……”

Sora-sensei’s shoulders drooped. Pwf-he-he-he!

“We’ve got to invite some more people …… I got it! How about we invite Keika?”

“Huh? W-Well, sure …… That’s okay …… If it’s, Keika ……”

“Hang on, I’ll call her right now!”

“Um ……”

Too bad, Auntie, too bad. Pwf-he-he-he!

Keika Kiyotaki is Kousuke Kiyotaki, Master and Sora-sensei’s Master’s, only daughter.

She’s almost more than family to the two of them after they spent over 10 years living under the same roof as Grandpa-sensei’s live-in apprentices.

Kind of like an older sister …… Well, maybe closer to a mother?

“Hello, Keika? It’s Yaichi. You got a minute? Yeah. You know how we’re going to Awaji Island next week? The trip we take every year. Yeah.”

“…………”

Master knew there was no way she would turn him down. He started explaining the details as Sora-sensei watched with mixed emotions. It’s obvious what she had in mind!

“The thing is, a bunch of people have canceled last minute. Yeah, exactly! So I was wondering if you’d like to come along. Oh, no, no! We can help you get ready for the Mynavi Finals, no sweat! Win one more and you’re officially a Women’s League player! He-he!”

Keika was still training to join the Women’s League.

Normally she’d have to promote another rank in the Practice League, but there’s a special rule that allows amateurs with good tournament results to become Women’s League players. It’s really hard to do, but ……

Keika made it through the Preliminaries.

Her first opponent in the Finals was set: Women’s Legend Rina Shakando. Master tried to use that to convince her that a big practice session is just what she needed.

“So what do you think? Can you come? It’s Monday to Tuesday next week. Big Sis and I are the only ones going right now, so you don’t have to worry about ………… Huh? Keika? You’re not feeling well? But you sounded just fine until a second ago …… It snuck up on you? ………… Food poisoning? A-Are you okay?!”

Keika …… That was so obvious ……

“…… Yes, okay. …… Alright. Hm? Big Sis? She’s right here next to me, why?”

Master is so trusting that he fell for her big fat lie right off the bat.

“…… Yeah …… Okay, I’ll tell her ………… Feel better soon ……”

Master hung up the phone but was clearly confused. 

Sora-sensei nervously worked up the courage to ask, “……………… What did …… Keika have to say?”

“I’m not really sure. She says she’s not feeling well, and we should go on without her.”

“I-I see …………… I hope she’s okay ……”

“Oh, and she wanted me to tell you to try harder than you ever have in your life.”

“S-She did ……?”

“What is there to try hard for? The two of us are just going on an overnight trip to practice Shogi.”

“………… Hauuu.”

Sora-sensei blushed and stared at her feet. Mrgh!!

But Master was too spaced out to notice that or Keika’s scheme. Oblivious ……

“Aw, man. I was really looking forward to this trip. I’ve been so busy with my apprentice since she showed up last spring that I haven’t really had time to do anything with players my own age. This trip was going to be my chance to relax with everybody.”

“I-I see ………… That’s too bad ……”

“No kidding.”

“L-Looks like there’s no choice but for the two of us to go …… which is too bad.”

“What a waste. It’ll cost money to cancel those extra rooms ……”

“B-But …… with the trip so soon, finding five people to go with us is impossible, isn’t it?”

“Yes, you’re right ……”

Sora-sensei lit up like she had the words a trip to the beach, just the two of us! written all over her face. M-Master! Noooo!!

Then, almost like he heard my heart screaming out–––.

“Hm? …… Five?”

That’s when it came to him in a flash.

Five people who weren’t professional players or Women’s League players–––five elementary school girls.

“Wow! The beach!!”

Mio presses her face up against the window and shouts with glee while Keika drives the big van with all of the Grade Schooler Practice Group members inside. We all look outside.

“It’s the Akashi Strait!” Ayano, the smartest of all of us, says.

“Cha?! Cha’s neber been to a bweach in Japon!!”

“Ch-Charlette!! You’ll get hurt jumping around in the car like that!”

Charlette can’t contain her excitement and gets out of her seat for a closer look!

There’s someone sitting at the very back corner of the van trying to ignore the rest of us.

“Hmph …… Such a child. It’s just the ocean. No big deal.”

The fifth member of our group: Ai Yashajin.

She’s my younger sister apprentice, but she is already as good as the senseis in the Women’s League. Almost no one in the Practice League can win against her.

She’s a bit of a loner and not the easiest to talk to, but …… that’s not stopping Mio.

“That’s because you live in Kobe, Ten-chan! You see the beach every day.”

“Hey, what’s this Ten-chan nonsense?! Are you addressing me?!”

“Yep! I was thinking Yasshi at first because Yashajin, but Ten-chan, after the first Chinese character in your name, sounds so much cuter, don’t you think?!”

Mio grins like she’s expecting a thank you, but Ten-chan is so angry that she whacks her in the back of the head a few times.

“B-Be serious, will you?! What right do you have to address me by a nickname when I outrank you?! I won’t allow it, ever!”

“But everyone calls you that already in the Practice League.”

“That’s your fault to begin with!! We aren’t pals, friends or anything of the sort!”

“Okay, um …… Ten-san?”

“I am not Tien Shinhan!!”

Ten-chan watches more anime than I thought!

“Tenshii han!”

“You stay out of this, half pint! I’ll make you cry!!”

Not even Charlette is safe from Ten-chan’s rampage. B-Be nice!

Ayano and I jump in to stop her.

“T-Ten-chan, calm down ……”

“Listen to her, Ten-chan. Charlette is only six, so she doesn’t know any better.”

“Which is why I’m teaching her not to use weird nicknames out of the blue!”

When suddenly a teasing voice comes from the driver’s seat.

“I don’t see the problem. It’s cute, if you ask me. Ten-chan.”

“…… Old Hag.”

“Yes, yes, Old Hag Keika, at your service my lady. Now, here’s some nice candy for you to suck on.”

Then Keika pulls hard candy out of a polka-dotted plastic baggie and tauntingly shakes them in the palm of her hand.

She and Ten-chan have played each other twice in the Practice League, and Keika won convincingly in their second match. Since she got the last laugh, Ten-chan can’t stand the way things are and sees her as a sworn enemy.

Ten-chan is more talented and has a higher ranking, but only winning will make the pain of loss go away.

“Hmph …… Keep your stupid candy.”

Which is why she sticks up her nose and refuses.

But the rest of us are thrilled!

“Cha, Cha wants cwandy!!”

“Me too, me too! Keika, gimme some!” Mio sounds giddy.

“Sure, sure. Make sure to share them, okay?”

“We will!”

Candy, yay! We divide them up and enjoy♡

Why is candy so much sweeter when you’re on a trip than at home?

“……… You’re all so childish. The future scares me ……”

Ten-chan crosses her arms, leans all the way back in her seat, and closes her eyes. I hope she opens up a little bit while we’re there.

Everyone’s having a good time at the back of the van, but ……

I join in when I can, but I’m more focused on catching every word of the conversation happening between the front seats and the captains’ chairs.

“You actually got the high and mighty Ai Yashajin to be quiet? That’s impressive, Keika! You’re a huge help! Sorry for making you drive, too.”

“Once I heard that you replaced everyone who’s not coming with the girls, I had to come along to make sure everything was alright …… And, any reason I had for saying no went away, too.”

“Hm? I didn’t catch that last part.”

“I said I’m a little nervous because this is my first time driving an eight-seater.”

“Oh, I see.”

Master has a talent for not hearing the inconvenient things, which is great for competitors. So, of course, he completely misses Keika’s offhanded comment. Very convenient! Darabuchi ……

“But it’s nice having a big van like this. We can do all sorts of things in here.”

“Hah! All sorts of things in a black van packed full of little girls? Whatever could you mean by that?”

“H-Hey, Big Sis! Why do you have to make it sound dirty like that?! Wh-What I mean is …… There’s enough room to change in here.”

“Yeah right,” Sora-sensei snaps.

“…… Um, Keika? Don’t you think Big Sis is being overly harsh? I know that almost no one who signed up to go is here, but how’s that my fault ……?”

“Hmmm. Nope, that’s all your fault, Yaichi.”

“Whaaa- ……?”

Keika can’t believe how confused Master is right now.

“My word …… People went as far as faking sick to give you space, too. Then you go out of your way to invite elementary school girls instead. Ginko has every right to be upset with you.”

“Hang on, hang on. I know Big Sis doesn’t like kids, and I’m sorry about that. But with the Mynavi Tournament going on and all my practice sessions in Tokyo, my schedule has been full up with Shogi. There hasn’t been any time to take them anywhere, right? I’ve got my title defense to prepare for once summer is over …… Now’s the only chance for them to make some summer memories. How does that make me the bad guy?”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Who knows? Why don’t you ask Ginko about it once we get to the beach?”

“Wh-What?! She’ll kill me!”

“Pray that it’s quick☆”

I pretend to stare out the window while listening to Master and Keika going back and forth, but actually I keep a close eye on Sora-sensei the whole time …… Okay, I’m doing a stakeout.

Beaches can be dangerous in summer!

“Okay, everyone. Here’s the swimming spot.”

The van pulls up to one of Awaji Island’s beaches where people can swim.

It’s still too early to check in at the inn, so we park outside and go to the beach first!

Master is the first one out of the car and brags like it’s his personal beach. But he was right about it being more beautiful than I ever imagined.

Mio undoes her seatbelt and dashes right for the water! Charlette and I are right behind her.

“Wooow! The sand, the waves! They’re all so pretty!”

“Da swand, it’s allll white!”

“It sure is, Charlette! The white sand is what makes the water look so clear!”

I never knew there was a beautiful beach like this so close to Osaka!

We were in such a rush to come out here we forgot to put on our swimsuits first. Mio, Charlette and I flick off our sandals and race to the water’s edge.

Whoa! It feels great between my toes♪

“H-Hmph …… It’s not bad.”

Ten-chan slowly meanders her way over. She’s has been acting so uninterested this whole time, like this beach isn’t amazing! Reeeeally?! Just look at the water!

“Pretty great, isn’t it? My seniors back when I was in the Sub League brought me out here. Mr. Kagamizu, too. We’ve been coming out here to do practice sessions once a year ever since. We’ll be staying at the same inn, too.”

“Staying at an inn so close to the beach with everyone is a dream come true! We’ll make so many lifelong memories!”

“Yep! This is gonna be a blast!”

Ayano agrees with Master. But Mio has a question for me.

“You know, Ai? Your family’s hotel is right on the coast, right? Don’t you get tired of seeing beaches?”

“…… The Sea of Japan is a bit …… rougher, I guess. And …… darker, too ……”

“O-Oh ……”

Plus, the swimming areas in Ishikawa Prefecture, like Uchinada and Chirihama, have dark brown sand for the most part, so the water isn’t clear like this ……

“Ah! But, that means the seafood’s good! Like the fish, clams, crabs ……”

All the rough waves make the fish grow up nice and strong, which makes them delicious! That’s what my dad told me, and he’s a chef!

“Cha, Cha wants shwells!”

Master pats Charlette on the head much longer than he needed and to says, “You want to go find some shells, do you? Wouldn’t it be great if there are lots and lots?”

“Wei!”

“What kind do you want to find?”

“Scallwops!”

“S-Scallops? Alright, let’s go see ……”

Master isn’t sure what to say, but Ten-chan is a lot blunter.

“There aren’t any scallops here, are you kidding?”

“T-Ten-chan?! There could be scallops or abalone shells around. We just have to look!”

“Cha, Cha’s gowing to dig dem up!”

Charlette starts running down the beach, but Master picks her up from behind before she makes it two steps.

“Hold on there, Charlette!”

“Fwhaa?”

“You need to put on sunscreen before you go. Your skin is naturally pale, so you’ll get sunburned right away if you don’t have sunscreen on.”

“Swunbuwnt?”

“Yeah. Your skin will hurt all over if you don’t rub this on.”

Then Master suddenly pulls a tube of cream out of his pocket and shows her.

That’s just like you, Master! Always prepared for anything!

“Umm …… Cha doewsn’t wike ouwies!”

“Right? That’s what this white cream is for. That way, you won’t get ouwies.”

“…………… Oh?”

Charlette looks back and forth between the cream and Master with her big green eyes.

Then, she says.

“Masta, wub wub?”

“Huh?! M- …… Me ……?”

“Wei!”

Charlette looks right up at him, pulls up her shirt–––and delivers the final blow.

“Masta …… Wub da cweam all ober Cha?”

Click!!

Master’s switch flipped. I heard it myself. The sound of his lolicon mode turning on ……

He starts panting, almost gasping for air as he puts a big dab of the white cream onto the palm of his hand, his eyes bloodshot …… Then he reaches out for Charlette’s smooth skin.

“O-Okay …… I’ll rub some sunscreen on you, so take off your–––.”

“That’s far enough, perv.”

Thwack!! Sora-sensei’s roundhouse kick hits Master squarely in his ribs. Nice one!

Master almost does a flip in the air before landing face first in the sand. Even then, he still tries to get back up. Lolicons are even harder to keep down than the King in the middle of the Shogi board.

“B-But wait, Big Sis. Think of what will happen if Charlette gets sunburned …… Just think of how perfect it’d be if she had swimsuit tan lines …… is not what I meant. What I’m saying is, she has delicate skin, so she has to be extra careful ……”

“Then ask either Keika or I to help her!”

“Ah?! Wh-Why didn’t I think of that ……?!”

Exactly! Master, you dara!!

“Over here, Charlette. Come on back to the van and I’ll put sunscreen on you, okay?” Keika calls to her.

“Fwhaa? Keika will wub it on Cha?”

“I sure will! Hey, girls! You should put some sunscreen on, too! Let me help! Oh, and Yaichi? Carry all of our stuff down to the water, would you?”

Keika rescues our whole practice group from Master who deserves this punishment.

Then Sora-sensei lands another kick right on her younger brother apprentice’s behind and says coldly, “You heard her. Get moving, lolicon perv.”

“Ngh ……! I-I didn’t do anything ……”

“Shut up and drop dead, lolicon. Only dead lolicons are allowed to exist.”

That’s the one thing that I agree with Sora-sensei on. Doufu!

“Whew …… Man, those were heavy ………… That should be everything, right ……?”

Master gets the last bag out of our black van, drops it down on the plastic sheet we’re using as a beach blanket and wipes the sweat off his face.

“Catch your breath later. Put the sunshade umbrella up.”

Sora-sensei issues more demands like a cold heartless prison guard without letting Master rest.

“………… You could do that much yourself, Big Sis ……”

“Do it.”

“Alright ……”

“I have weak skin and I’ll die working out in the sun. You know that.”

“…… Yes, that’s true, but it also wouldn’t kill you to show your cuter side every once in a while ……,” Master mumbles to himself. 

Sora-sensei hides her mouth behind the fan and whispers, “………… Says the guy who does anything to make cute little girls happy ……”

“Did you say something, Big Sis?”

“I said, drop dead, lolicon.”

“Look, I’m not like that–––.”

Oh no!

My sensor is going wild. This mood is dangerous! They’re fighting, like usual, but this is the beach in the summer this time! At this rate, it’ll take a romantic turn ……!

So I jump between them like a Knight leaping across the board.

“Um …… Master? Does this swimsuit look good on me?”

Yes, look, look! I went all the way to a department store in Umeda to find exactly the type of swimwear he likes best♡

Since I live with him, of course I know exactly what draws his eyes on TV or in magazines. It’s time to show off the results of my research!

“Ahhh! Ai! Don’t run off like that!”

Tch ……

Just when I had the Master’s eyes all to myself, the other girls barge in with their own swimsuits on.

“Kujyuru-sensei, what’cha think of mine?! Cute, isn’t it?!” Mio says with a big smile.

“Cha, is Cha cute?”

“Th-This style of bathing suit is …… a little embarrassing ……,” Ayano mumbles.

“Or so you say, four eyes. Showing off that much skin, really ……?” Ten-chan scoffs at her.

Mio’s got one of those sporty one-piece swimsuits on.

Charlette’s is all frilly and oh so cute. Cute as a button.

Ayano …… I didn’t know she was this daring! And the way she’s fidgeting and trying to hide it is almost suggestive ……

As for Ten-chan, hers is more simplistic and stylish. After all she said about not wanting to come, her bringing her own suit is kind of adorable.

Everyone is cute in their own way.

M-Master is going to look at all of them, I just know it!

“Ahhh …… Hello there, angels ……♡”

Just what I was afraid of: Master is hypnotized by their swimsuits and won’t stop staring …… But his eyes stay on Charlette a full six seconds longer than on me. Grrrr ……

Then Sora-sensei says in a chilly voice right under the summer sun, “Drop dead, lolicon.”

“How many times do I have to tell you I’m not a lolicon! I’m way more interested in Keika’s bikini than anyone else if you haven’t noticed!”

Yay! So much for a romantic turn!

But Master, you won’t be getting dinner when we get home tomorrow night.

“Yaichiii. Thanks for the compliment, really, but you can’t say things like that in front of Ai or Ginko, understood?”

Keika is …… big. I won’t say what or where, but …… they’re big.

The only one of us not wearing a swimsuit, Sora-sensei scoffs.

“…… So what? If I had a bikini on, I’d do just as well ……”

“As flat as you are ……?”

“Want a pike through your head, Trash?”

“W-Wow! Just look at this weather, it’s beautiful! Perfect for a day at the beach! Oh! Ai, would you help me out for a second?”

“Uwhee? What do you want me to do?”

“I want your help putting suntan lotion on.”

“You want a tan, Master?”

What a surprise!

After all he said about getting sunburned …… Why?

“Shogi is an indoor sport, right? I don’t get many chances to have a tan. So I thought I’d do the manly thing this summer and go golden brown!”

M-Master, a macho man ……?!

“I-I’d be happy to help!”

I like Master how he is, kind and everything, but imagining him as a bit of a wild bad boy? So cool!!

A-And I’m …… on a trip with ………… that bad boy ……

Haauu haauuuu♡

“Cha, too! Cha wants to wub wub!”

“Y-You have done so much for me over the past few months, Kuzuryu-sensei …… I would like to repay you and help, as well!”

Since Charlette and Ayano said so, they each take one of Master’s legs.

“I won’t, ever!! That oily lotion makes my hands feel gross!” Ten-chan refuses right away.

“Ahahahahaha! Look, it’s all slippery!”

Mio squirts a whole bunch of it on her body and then rubs it off on Master’s back all at once. Great idea!

Alright! Mio showed me how, so I’ll do it, too!

“What do you think, Master? Are we using enough oil?”

The Dragon King sounds as happy as can be as the four of us girls lather him up.

“…… I feel like a King with a complete Strawberry Castle ……”

“Die, perv!!”

Sora-sensei charges in like she’s playing beach soccer and drives her foot right into Master’s head.

“Owch?! Hey, Big Sis!! My head isn’t some soccer ball!”

“M-Master?! Are you okay?!”

That was mean, Auntie! What in the world do you think you’re doing?!

“Owww …… Geez, I keep telling you not to hit me in the head, remember?! What if I get worse at Shogi because you killed too many brain cells, huh?! What then?!!”

“You should be more concerned about your reputation than brain cells, perv!!”

“Huuuuh?! I was just having my apprentices put some suntan lotion on me! How is that perverted?”

“Exactly! This is normal for Masters and apprentices!”

I’m the one who gives Master massages after his bath every now and then!

Sora-sensei takes out her smartphone.

“If it’s so normal, you wouldn’t care if I shot a video and uploaded it to the Internet, would you?”

“Not the web, not the web, please, not the web, anything but the web. This was my bad, all my bad!!”

Master presses his forehead against the hot sand.

Hissss …… Is that his skin burning? I think I can smell it …… 

“Why? All you were doing was having your apprentices rub you down with suntan oil. There’s nothing dirty about that, is there?”

“Ugh …… Keika! Big Sis is bullying me ……”

“Let her do what she wants for now. This situation is your fault anyway.”

Once Keika says that to Master, she turns to us.

“Alright, girls! Kuzuryu-sensei will be busy getting roasted here on the beach for a while, so let’s all go for a swim!”

“Coming!”

I’m a little worried about Master, but this is going to take some time. It’s really getting hot out, so I’ll go swim with everyone!

“Awww ……”

“Don’t groan because you’re sad to see them go, you piece of lolicon trash.”

Master watches us with envy as we wade into the water, but Sora-sensei kicks him again. S-Sorry, Master ……

As the first apprentice, I have to strengthen our bonds for the sake of the Kuzuryu Shogi family in Master’s place!

“Hey! Ten-chan! Come play with us!”

“I told you not to call me that, did I not?!”

Ten-chan ignores my outstretched hand. But she must be a little bit interested in the beach because she follows me like a kitty pretending not to care about a toy. Twiddling her thumbs, she asks me, “…… Play what, exactly?”

“I brought a big beach ball, look! Let’s play beach volleyball!” Mio yells with glee.

This’ll be so much fun!

We start dividing up into teams, but–––.

“Nope, I’m going to have to stop you right there.”

Master, still limping from Sora-sensei’s kicks, tells us no. Uwheee?

“No beach volleyball.”

“Huuuh? Why not?”

“You can’t play Shogi if you stub your fingers, right?”

“Ah, true ……”

Disappointment sets in, but Mio steps up and says, “Then we’ll just play beach soccer!”

“No soccer, either.”

“Whaaaat?!”

But why? You don’t use your hands in soccer ……

“You can’t sit on your ankles with proper posture if you hurt your feet.”

That’s true, too …… Now that I think about it, hurting my foot might be worse! Especially because girls are only allowed to sit in proper seiza when we play on tatami mats.

“But, then what? What can we play?” I ask Master. 

He thinks it over for a moment.

“Hmm …… Shogi, maybe?”

“Then why did we come out to the beach at all?!” exclaims Mio with the beach ball in her arms as she looks out over the sand. 

Aha-ha …… She has a point.

Keika and Ayano calmly talk it over.

“Well, there shouldn’t be any harm in going for swim.”

“And I would like to try building a sand castle.”

Then, Charlette holds up the toy shovel she brought from home and says, “Cha, Cha want to fwind sea shewws!”

She’s going to search for shells on the beach?!

Mio turns back to us with a start and jumps up like she’s got springs in her feet. Slapping Ten-chan on the back, “Alriiighty!! Ten-chan, I’ll race you to the water!”

“What?! Wh-Why do I have to play along with your little race?!”

“The loser buys the winner ice cream! Ready, go!!”

“Agh! W-Wait for me!!”

Ten-chan hates to lose, no matter what it is, and chases Mio as fast as she can.

“I-I’m coming too!” I call out after them. We can all swim together!

Ayano and Charlette are talking behind me.

“Charlette, I’ll relax with you here on the beach.”

“Find sea shewws?”

It sounds like Charlette hasn’t given up on finding scallops. I-I hope she has some luck!

Master and Sora-sensei are talking a little further behind them, too.

“It sure looks like they’re having a great time …… I came here determined to get a tan, but I think I’ll go join them instead.”

“So? Go ahead.”

“Um ………… Big Sis?”

“What?”

“It’s just, I can’t get up with your hand on top of mine like that ……”

“How is that my problem? And besides, you put your hand under mine. Changing your mind now, are you?”

“Huh? You’re the one who put your hand on mine, Big Sis, no matter how you look at it ……”

“Are you brain-dead? You’re the one who put your hand beneath mine, perv.” 

“…… It doesn’t matter how it got there, would you just please get off my hand?”

“Huuh? Why do I have to move? Figure something out yourself.”

“B-But you’re putting all your weight on it, Big Sis ……”

“Stupid Yaichi.”

“Yeesh …… What are you trying to do, anyway? Good grief ………… Fine, then. I’ve been going back and forth from Tokyo so much in the past few weeks, I’ll take it slow and just watch the waves today.”

“…… That’s better.”

Darabuchi ……

Well, Sora-sensei does have very sensitive skin, so maybe she can’t play on the beach even with plenty of sunscreen. I feel a little sorry for her, so …… I’ll lend Master to her for now.

But just while I’m swimming, okay?

“Everyone, don’t go too far out, understand?” Keika calls out to us with her big boobies almost spilling out. 

Darabuchi ……

“Whoa! How do you swim so fast, Ai?!”

“Come on, Mio, Ten-chan! Keep up!”

“I’ve already told you plenty of times: STOP CALLING ME THAT!”

I grew up on the coast, so I love swimming in the ocean! There’s a trick to swimming with the waves that you can’t learn in a pool, so Mio and Ten-chan keep getting pulled back.

Meanwhile on the beach, Charlette and Ayano–––.

“Cha, Cha’s got swand in her bwathing suit. Itchwy.”

“Ch-Charlette!! You mustn’t take it off here!!”

Ayano jumps up to stop Charlette from trying to get the sand out of her swimsuit.

Yes, that’s exactly right!

There’s no telling where perverts might be hiding, so swimming suits must stay on at all times! The beach during the summer is really dangerous!

For example …… Right there.

The pervert watching from the plastic sheet–––.

“…… Grade schoolers are the best.”

Turns out to be Master.

“Drop dead, Trash!!”

And Sora-sensei lands a powerful dropkick. What a relief!

“Ouch! Wh-What was that for, Big Sis?!”

“Don’t fess up with that smirk on your face! Trash! Perv! Loli-King!”

“Look, I was just commenting on how grade schoolers can adapt and have fun with each other! It’s kind of nice, that’s all!!”

“Shut up, lolicon.”

“I’m not, okay?! I was just thinking how pure and innocent they are playing on this beautiful beach–––.”

“Lolicon ……”

“……………… Sorry.”

Since Master is tied to the shore until the sun goes down, the rest of us forget all about Shogi and have a great time on the beach.

Once we had enough swimming and playing in the sand, we packed up and drove to where we’re staying tonight.

Master comes here every year, so the owner of the inn is very friendly!

After a nice bath, we sit down for a big dinner. I’m starving, so I eat and eat and eat until there’s no room left.

“Ahhh, I’m so full!”

I pat my round tummy through my yukata robe and Mio lays down on the tatami mat. Charlette does the same thing, landing right on top of her. 

“Ooph!” goes Mio.

I know it’s bad manners, but …… I want to lay down, too.

“All of those dishes were delicious!”

Just as Ayano said, everything the inn served was better than we thought it would be.

Even as the daughter of a family-run inn, I have to give it a perfect score.

It didn’t have the same detailed textures as the food dad makes, but they brought out all the natural flavors extremely well. And the famous Awaji Island–grown onions are surprisingly sweet!

I grimace a little bit as I pour tea for everyone.

“My skin stung a little in the bath, though.”

“That’s because you were outside for too long …… So, when are we going to play Shogi? The half pint has called it a night already and the old hag looks like she’s drunk.”

Ten-chan is right. Charlette is using Mio’s tummy like a pillow and can’t keep her eyes open.

“Fahha ………… Cha …… Cha’s weawwy sweepy ……”

“Sssorry? I helped myself to a beer♪”

“Ehehe♡,” the older younger sister apprentice laughs with a silver can in her hand. We girls of the Kiyotaki line hold our heads in shame while the eldest brother grimaces just looking at her.

“Keika ……”

“…… Hey, what could it hurt? It’s summer vacation ……”

Ten-chan shakes her head back and forth, mouthing “my word,” before letting Master have it.

“Sigh …… Well, Sensei. Wasn’t this supposed to be an overnight Shogi practice session? I fail to understand why we bothered coming out here at all.”

“Easy there. We’ve got all morning to play Shogi, so we’ll get up early and ……”

I’m really tired tonight, so I’m with Master on this one! But I wonder if I’ll be able to get up in the morning.

Then again, it seems like I’ve got nothing to worry about.

Because––––––this trip’s main event is just about to start.

“Alright, everyone. Let’s hit the sack now so we can be ready for tomorrow,” says Master, clapping his hands.

“Cha, Cha wants ta sweep wid Masta in his futown ……”

Wiping her eyes, Charlette gets up from lying on Mio and steps on her to get closer to Master. 

“Ouph!” Mio grunts. Ahaha! She sounds like a frog!

Hey! Wait, wait!!

“Sleep with me in my futon?! N-N-No, Charlette! That’s a no-no!”

“Why? Cha, Cha is Masta’s bwide.”

Charlette is Master’s bride.

“Huh? Bride …… What are you talking about, tot?”

The first to say anything is Sora-sensei.

She had been quietly sipping her tea, but she couldn’t let Charlette’s comment pass, as no dual Woman’s title holder would.

“Listen, Big Sis! What she’s saying is–––.”

“Charlette took Master’s promise to make her his bride seriously. Those were Master’s exact words. Mio and Ayano can confirm it right here. Isn’t that right?” I cut off Master to say.

“W-Well, uh ……”

“I-If you asked if I heard him say it …… Yes, I heard ……”

The two of them can’t say much, but both Mio and Ayano agree with me. The tables have turned.

With all of us vouching for the same story, Sora-sensei turns to her younger brother apprentice and quietly says his name. “Yaichi.”

“Y-Yesh ……?”

“You are about to embark on a long, long journey. Is there anything you would like to do while you still have the chance? I think this’ll be an extremely long summer vacation for you.”

“Wh-What do you mean by that ……?”

“I’m taking you on a long trip …… to prison.”

“You mean you’re turning me in?! Keika, save me! Big Sis wants to turn me over to the police!”

“Yaichi …… I’ll be sure to bring your favorite Habutae-mochi rice cakes during visitation hours ……”

“Don’t give up so soon, Keika! Please, don’t give up!”

Master loves those rice cakes from Fukui Prefecture, but it will be difficult to enjoy them behind bars, won’t it?

Well, Master is underage, so maybe it’ll be juvenile hall?

“Oh no! Master is going to be locked in a cage! …… Then again, I won’t have to worry about him getting too close to other girls. Maybe it’s better this way?”

“Don’t say scary things like that, Ai!!”

It’s because of your bad behavior, Master.

“Ooooh, I got it!!”

Keika, still holding that beer can in her hand, jumps to her feet–––.

“It’s time for Keika’s lolicon litmus test!”

She yells.

“……………… Huh?”

The room goes quiet.

It takes everyone a moment to process the meaning of those words …… But Charlette couldn’t figure it out and tilts her head, confused.

“Woweekon whitmas twest?”

“No, no. Lolicon litmus test.”

Mio corrects her and Charlette tries again.

“Wowiikan weetas vest?”

“Try again, lo-li-con lit-mus test.”

“Wowi …… we?”

“Li! Lit-mus t-e-s-t!”

“Wimus twist?”

“Yeah, that’s good enough!”

“Wimus♡”

No fair. Too cute.

“Ahhh …… Such an angel.”

“Tch.”

Smack! Sora-sensei whacks Master on the back of his head with the slipper off her own foot.

“Ouch! What was that for?! I didn’t do anything!!”

“You’re gross!”

Doufu.

Wait! More importantly–––.

“Um …… Keika? What is a lolicon litmus test ……?”

“It’s my way of seeing just how much of a lolicon Yaichi is☆”

I’ve never seen Keika this giddy before. Even Sora-sensei looks worried.

“…… Keika, are you drunk?”

“Drunk? Ohhh, nope, nope! Noooot at all!”

She’s …… very drunk.

“Plastered, that’s what you are ……,” Ten-chan says with a groan and puts a bag of Shogi pieces back into her travel pack. Sorry, you wanted to play Shogi, didn’t you?

But …… I don’t think tonight’s the night for it ……!

“So, Keika? How does the test work?”

“Great question! You see, all of us girls here are going to ask Yaichi out on a date!”

She must not have been expecting that, because Sora-sensei screams.

“WHAAAAAAT?! A-Ask out …… o-on a d- …… Huuuuuh?!”

Next, it’s Ten-chan’s turn. She stands straight up with the piece bag still clutched in her hand.

“Wh-Why must I say such a thing to this piece of trash?!”

“Ten-chan, I am your Master, remember ……?” 

Master looks at her with a twinge of sadness in his eyes. He may be used to Sora-sensei tearing him to shreds, but it looks like his own apprentice rejecting him really hurts.

Hmm …… Actually, that reaction makes me feel ……

“Pretend: it’s just pretend. But we get to see just how much Yaichi blushes when each one of us asks him!”

Thump! Mio puts her hands together. She must’ve just gotten it.

“I see! If he turns bright red when you ask him out, Keika, he’s not lolicon at all! But if he blushes his brains out when Charlette asks, he’s a heavy-duty lolicon! Right?!”

“Th-That’s a revolutionary idea!” Ayano agrees.

Now that I think about it …… This might be great!!

“Revolutionary? That’s way over the top! And Keika, get a hold of yourself! No guy wants to be pretend asked out! Are you trying to make me sad or something?!”

It seems that Keika was expecting this kind of resistance. She glances over at Sora-sensei with a mischievous grin.

“Of course, no one said it couldn’t be an honest invitation.”

“Why are you looking at me? I won’t be part of this!”

“Hehehe …… How long can you resist, Miss Snow White of Naniwa?”

“Keika …… Th-That’s the kind of thing an orc would say right before ravaging a captive lady knight ……!”

Master …… I have a problem with your metaphor. I’m still in elementary school, so I’m not entirely sure what it means, but ……

“Now! Who’s going to be our top batter?!”

Keika claps her hands together as she looks at all of us one by one until–––.

“Me! Meee! I wanna try!”

“Excellent ……! Go ahead and introduce yourself!”

“I’m Mio Mizukoshi! Nine years old! I came here from Osaka today!”

“That’s some great energy, you little go-getter! Now, hit Yaichi with your best shot!”

Keika has Yaichi stand at the front of the room and then pulls Mio up to him. Then she presses a few buttons on her smartphone …… With the can still in her other hand. Wow, she has good dexterity ……

Music starts playing from her phone.

“Huh?! Wh-What’s that for?! Setting the mood?!!”

Master is trembling.

And now Mio looks a little nervous!

Th-This flow is dangerous!

“Uh …… Umm ………… Kujyuryu-senseeei?”

“Y-Yeah?”

“I-I think you’re really cool! Go out with me!!”

“Huh? Oh, um …… Sorry.”

Rejected without a second of waiting time. Whew ……

“Whaaa-?! Why?!”

“It’s just, well …… I know you tried really hard, Mio. And I do feel bad if I hurt your feelings, but I don’t see grade schoolers as dating material. And your acting needs work ……”

“Huh? Boys are so hard to understand ……”

I can tell Mio is frustrated by how she mumbles under her breath. But I think anyone would turn her down if she asked them out like that ……

“…… I wouldn’t be having such a hard time if it were that easy ……”

“Ai? Did you say something just now?”

“Uwhee?! N-Nope! I didn’t say a thing!!”

I’ve gotta be more careful! My thoughts must’ve come out!

But …… Ehehe♡

Master said sorry to Mio right away. I can breathe a little easier! Sorry, Mio.

But Keika’s next words almost make my heart stop.

“Okay. Mio, go ahead and choose who goes next.”

“Oh, that’s how this works?”

Sora-sensei and Ten-chan groan as soon as they hear that.

“That’s alarming ……”

“Like handing the controls of a nuclear missile over to a monkey ……”

Mio’s eye twitches, and she looks over at Ten-chan.

“Well, someone sure talks a big game. Come on up, Ten-chan!”

“Huuuh?!”

“Show this monkey how it’s done. Ou-ahah!”

“M-Monkey see, monkey do won’t work! Don’t you understand that?! It’d be pointless! Absolutely pointless!”

Ten-chan tries to talk her way out of it while Mio does a monkey impression, but ……

Mio gets an idea and her eyes light up.

“Ohhh? So, you’re gonna run away?”

“What?! Just who do you think you’re talking to? I won’t run away from anything! Fine, I’ll do it!”

“And now, for entry number two! It’s Ai Yashajin’s turn to ask Yaichi out! The floor is yours♪”

Keika does a quick introduction and then pushes her up to the front.

The music starts again.

Ten-chan fixes the collar on her yukata and then leans forward just a little bit in front of Master.

She must be too embarrassed to look right at him.

But that angle …… From that angle she looks the cutest! No fair!!

“Um …… Sensei?”

“Y-Yeah?”

“L-Let me make this clear right now …… Everything I’m about to say is not true, understood?! Don’t get the wrong idea, Trash!”

“O- …… Okay.”

Mio and Keika start whispering to each other.

“Is it just me, or is she interrogating him?”

“Awe, she’s being shy. She’s cute when she’s angry.”

Ugh ……

Actually, the way Ten-chan gets so icy when we know she’s embarrassed is …… very cute.

Kind of like the way a stray kitten suddenly opens its heart to you ……

No fair! That’s not fair at all, Ten-chan!

“…… So, I-I …… I’m not exactly social, and I really, really don’t like it when people make me learn things ……”

Ten-chan’s skin looks a lot redder than usual.

But it’s not because we spent all afternoon out in the sun–––.

“But I know I have to change that about myself … not only for the sake of my grandfather's ease--he is my only family after all--but for my own sake I must acknowledge my feelings and accept other people's advice …”

Acknowledge her feelings–––.

Ten-chan is always so closed off, just as she said. But right now I can tell how desperate but annoyed she is trying to find the right words.

Wow …… If anyone gave me that look, I’d get butterflies!

“S-So ………… Sensei? I want you to teach me ………… not just about Shogi, but …… so many other things ………… b-because, I want to be an adult as soon as possible ……”

What a bold move Ten-chan just played! What are those other things?! Even my butterflies are getting butterflies!

Master took that head-on, and he–––.

“I see ……”

“Yes ……,” Ten-chan’s eyes sparkle as she waits for his answer.

Master looks right at her and says, “And? What are you really after?”

“……………… Huuuuh?!”

“You trying to act admirable isn’t cute so much as suspicious ……”

“Excuse me?!”

Ten-chan is furious! Meanwhile, Mio is rolling on the tatami mats and clutching her ribs with laughter.

“Aha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Th-That was awesome, Ten-chan! He sure trusts you, doesn’t he?!!”

“M-Mio …… You shouldn’t laugh ……”

“Or so you say, but I see that grin, Ai!”

“I-I’m not! Really!”

Really, I’m not …… Ehe-he …… he-he-he ……♡

Ten-chan is angry through and through, so Keika says, “Moving on, who’s the next one?”

“Hmm …… Four eyes.”

“A-Are you talking about me?!”

Ayano nearly falls over. 

Ten-chan flicks her hair like she’s annoyed and says, “Who else? Now do it.”

“Umm …… Ohh, my my ……”

Ayano is close to panicking and tries taking off her trademark glasses to get out of it, but ……

Of course, that won’t work. Mio pokes her right in the ribs.

“Nope, nope! Ayanon, it’s too late even without your glasses on.”

“Haauuu ……”

Master can’t help but offer her a way out.

“A-Ayano? If you really don’t want to, there’s no need to force yourself. I don’t get what the point of all this is anyway ……”

“N-No! I-It’s not because I don’t want to ……”

Sparkle☆ Keika’s eyes light up as she taps on her phone.

The music starts back up again.

This timing is too perfect!

Ayano starts her attack before Master’s heart is safely behind a defensive wall ……!

“I-I’ve never …… been good at talking with boys …… Not even the boys in my class. …… But I have fun talking with you like this, Kuzuryu-sensei. I-I don’t understand why ……”

It’s almost like she’s naturally working her way to a date checkmate!

It’s hard to tell what’s an act and what her actual feelings are, like …… seeing a perfect early game without a single wasted move!

“What I’m trying to say is, um …… I-I like you …… Sensei ……”

Clench!

“Hghh!!”

Master falls to his knees like someone just shot him in the heart with a pistol. Then–––.

“Ah! Look …… He’s turning bright red!”

“Masta, yewr face is bewwy wed.”

Ten-chan and Charlette are right …… Master is turning redder by the second! It’s like a science experiment!

Dara! Master, you darabuchi! Cheater!!

“But how are we supposed to compare this with everyone else’s?”

“Not to worry, Mio. I took pictures at the exact moment Yaichi heard what all of you said, so we can compare later.”

“Wow! You’re really on the ball today, Keika!”

“Well, I don’t think anyone needs to look at the pictures to know Ayano is in the lead right now.”

“Haauuu …… I-I’m so embarrassed, I want to die ……”

Ayano, red as a tomato, hides her face with both hands. Master is watching her, a lot happier that he’s trying to let on.

Hmph.

Hm? Hmrph.

“Hmm. So that’s the way Master likes it. Hmmm ……”

“Yes. Yaichi has always liked the smart girls that open up with that girly! act going way back.”

This is the first time Sora-sensei and I have agreed on something.

That’s right.

Master plays passive Shogi, but whenever someone comes along who shows him exactly where to attack, he makes his move! Rapid Attack!!

And, since Ayano is the kind of girl who hides in a Mino Castle without the edge pawn raised, the type who looks well protected but will get checkmated in a flash ……

“Hold up, hold up! Ai, Big Sis, what are you two talking about?! Her asking me out is nothing compared to how much effort it took for her to come up here and say it! I’m just so happy she tried so hard–––.”

“That you got excited?”

“I’m not, not at all!”

Master responds to Sora-sensei’s severe move with anger of his own.

Keika takes in the situation, and then takes in some more beer.

“There we go! Now this is getting interesting! Can Yaichi save himself from being labeled a lolicon?! Or will all the suspicions be confirmed?! Alright, Ayano, who’s next?!”

“O-Okay, um …… Sora-sensei.”

Th-The moment of truth ……!!

“…… Sure.”

“Huh?! Just like that ……,” Master mumbles in disbelief. He must’ve thought she’d refuse.

Sora-sensei straightens her bangs before answering with this.

“It’s just a game, right? Yaichi isn’t all that complicated, so making him blush is like taking candy from a baby. And I know him better than anyone else.”

Sora-sensei just has to take the I’m number one angle. That’s unfair.

“…… Darabuchi.”

“Hm?”

“C’mon, Ginko. The stage has been set for you. Go deliver your line.”

Keika giggles before sticking her tongue out☆ with a big grin. Meanwhile Charlette tugs at Ayano’s yukata collar.

“Set da stwage?”

“It means that every detail has been taken care of by someone else because the person in question won’t do anything by themselves.”

“You’ve got a surprisingly sharp tongue, four eyes ……”

Ten-chan leans away just a little bit after Ayano’s blunt explanation.

More importantly! Sora-sensei looks extremely confident …… They spent a lot of time alone on the beach this afternoon. Don’t tell me the air turned romantic ……?

I knew I shouldn’t have left them alone! That idiot! Darabuchi!!

Sora-sensei stands in front of Master, and–––opens up.

“Hm ………… Yaichi.”

“Yes?”

“Y-You’re …… allowed to love me, you know?”

“……”

“……”

“……”

“……”

“Hey.”

“Ouch!!”

Thwap! Auntie hits Master’s forehead with her slipper.

Huh? W-Wasn’t she going to confess her feelings to get him to go out with her?

Girls my age can do way better than that ……

“Why aren’t you blushing?!”

“I can’t do the impossible! How was what you just said supposed to make me blush?!”

Well, he does have a big red mark on his face in the shape of a slipper and keeps mumbling, “Oww ……” really quietly. But, Master counters.

“…… Besides, saying I’m allowed to love you? I have for years, so how would that change anything?”

“Huh?”

Sora-sensei’s face goes blank.

What? Whaaaaat?!

“Ah! Look …… look at Sora-sensei’s face!”

“Bright red! And it’s getting redder and redder every second!”

“It turns out someone else isn’t too complicated …… Pathetic.”

Mio and Ayano’s voices race back and forth. Ten-chan shrugs her shoulders, and Keika takes even more pictures with her phone.

 But, not of Master. Of Sora-sensei ……

“Y-You do …………? Master, what do you see in Auntie ……?” I managed to say while keeping the tears back.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! I didn’t mean it like that! We’re family, so we love each other! Isn’t that right, Big Sis?!”

“O-Of course. Would you not get the wrong idea, please?”

You’re the one who got the wrong idea, Auntie!!

“Ginko.”

“Wh-What, Keika?”

“That sucked.”

“Ngh ……!”

Hit where it hurts most, Sora-sensei trembles as she tries to deal with the fact that she lost.

“L-Like you could do any better!”

“Just watch.”

I think Keika was expecting something like this to happen.

She nods with a big smile and puts her phone and the beer can down on the floor.

Swish …… She takes the band out of her hair and it flows over her shoulder.

“Ah! Keika let her hair down!”

“S-So, this is what adult charms look like ……!”

Mio and Ayano are girls, but Keika is making their faces turn red, too. All that beer has given her skin a captivating glow ……

She must have set the phone to play music before she put it down, because now it’s playing smooth jazz.

“Say …… Yaichi? I’m too hot ……”

“Huuuh?!”

“Much much too hot …… I’ll burn up if I don’t cool off, so, may I ……?”

She undoes the string keeping her robe together and leans right into Master …… Keika is being touchy-feely.

That’s against the rules! Not allowed!!

“H-Hold up, Keika!! Y-You can’t do that! Th-There are kids watching!!”

…… Does that mean you think it’d be okay if we weren’t here?

“Sorry for being so hard on you this afternoon. I wanted to treat you to a wonderful time, but …… My scaaary older sister apprentice wouldn’t let me get close.”

“Mnrgh ……!”

Sora-sensei is grinding her teeth.

“Ngh …… Nrghhhhh ……!”

And, I’m biting my lip. Grrrgh ……!

“Oh, and look, the little kittens who don’t know how to please you are so jealous.”

Keika slips her arm around Master’s neck like a cougar going in for the kill.

“So tell me, Yaichi. Have you kissed Ginko yet?”

“Wh-What are you even talking about, Keika?! I wouldn’t kiss her, no way!”

“Then, no? I see ……”

She presses those melon-sized boobies of hers right up against Master …… And opens up in her own way.

“Well then, as the experienced one, let me teach your untouched lips how it’s done, Yaic–––.”

But she never got to finish that sentence.

BONK!

Dull thuds echo off the walls.

They’re …… the sounds of Keika being hit in the back of the head with glass bottles.

“…… Huh? K-Keika?”

Master watches in surprise as Keika hits the floor like a marionette that had all its strings snipped at once.

The ones who saved him from being defiled by that touchy-feely cougar are–––.

“Ah …… Big Sis?! Ai?! Hitting her with those bottles was going too far!! Look at her, sprawled out on the floor like that!”

“…… This wasn’t for you, Yaichi. It was to protect Keika’s dignity ……”

“That’s right. We had to save our family line’s image. There was no other choice ……”

It …… It was the only option ……

“You know, Ayano? Suddenly, I’m really really glad I’m not in the Kiyotaki Shogi family ……”

“S-So strict ……”

Mio and Ayano are trembling in the corner of the room. Even Ten-chan is whispering, “Maybe …… I should look into finding a new Master after all ……”

Master makes sure that Keika, out like a light, is breathing and says, “A- …… Are you all happy now? More people are just going to get hurt if we keep going, so let’s get ready for b–––.”

“Not yet.”

“Huh? A-Ai? Why–––?”

“I haven’t had my turn.”

Ten-chan sounds a bit fed up when she adds, “Seriously ……? You want to keep going after that ……?”

“But, I have something I want to say to Master! …… Master!!”

“Y-Yes?!”

Master snaps to attention. Huh? Why is he so scared?

“U-Um, Ai ……? Before you say anything, I think it would be best if you put the bottle down.”

“Oh …… I forgot.”

Following Ayano’s advice, I put it down on the tatami mat and then turn back to Master.

“Ummm ………… I’m Ai Hinatsuru, a fourth grader. Master, there’s something I want to say ……”

First, I reintroduce myself.

Since Keika shows no signs of waking up, Mio picks up her phone. “It’s this button here, right?” she says. Then music starts again. Nice!

“I …… I’ve always been very shy …… I didn’t know how to speak up, so I always did just what my parents said like a robot ……”

Ten-chan and Sora-sensei mumble.

“That’s an obvious lie.”

“No doubt. She’s just copying the approaches that worked.”

Two new names get written on my mental Beyond Forgiveness List right then. I’ll kill them both on the board … someday ……

But! Now’s not the time to worry about what two losers have to say.

I have to open up about how he helped me change from a shy little robot into someone new!

Say how he inspired me and use it to ask him out on a date–––.

“I haven’t felt like my usual self. Not since I started playing Shogi …… not since you became my Master.”

“Ai ……”

“Playing Shogi has shown me what kind of person I want to be. Having you with me, Master, gives me the courage to change.”

I’ve got him on his heels! Now’s my chance!

“Shogi is so hard, and there are so many people who are really strong …… I feel like giving up whenever I lose, but ……”

When I lost to Sora-sensei.

When I lost to Ten-chan, too.

It hurt so bad that I cried and cried, but ……

“But! Seeing you try so hard all the time, Master, gave me the courage to keep trying! I can change because I have Shogi! I can keep playing because I have you! So ……”

The first thing that Master ever gave to me.

It’s a fan that has the word courage written on it in his letters.

I keep it close to my heart to keep the fear away.

I–––play the best move, confess my feelings and ask him to be mine!

“I …… I …… never! ever! ever! want to leave your side, Master!!”

“…………”

My attack hits home, right down the center file.

Master then––––––.

“Ugh …… Nngh ………… Sniffle ……!”

What?

“Uwhee?! M-Master?! Why are you crying?!”

“I-I’m so …… so sorry! I-If only I …… I’d been a better teacher, you’d be so much stronger already …… S-Sorry you wound up with such a useless Master like me, really ……!!”

What?! Whaaat?

He can cry tears of joy, that’s fine, but …… Not what I had in mind!

Even Ten-chan and Sora-sensei can’t believe how hard he’s crying!

“Yeesh …… Here come the waterworks ……”

“Like a father at his daughter’s wedding, just wow ……”

Huuuh?!

This wasn’t supposed to happen!

“Y-You have my word ……! I’ll work harder …… I promise ……!!” Master says in tears as he kneels in front of me and puts his hand on my shoulder. I mean, I’m happy to hear that, but …… Haauuu ……

Ayano holds her glasses in one hand as she wipes away her tears on her yukata sleeve.

“Ai …… You are so loved. I’m envious ……”

“Haauuu …… It’s nice to know, but I’m not sure how I feel about this ……”

“………… So? Do we have an answer or not?”

Ten-chan asks and Mio answers in place of Keika, who is still lying on the floor.

“Hmmm, well, he turned bright red for Ayano and Keika, so we can’t say he’s not lolicon for sure, but …… He really seemed to like Keika’s invitation, so maybe he’s just a normal guy?”

Master wipes his runny nose and says, “…… O-Of course I’m normal. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I’m not a lolicon.”

“I-I agree. Kuzuryu-sensei is a gentleman …… Even if he is a lolicon deep down, he is a gentleman among them!”

That would still mean he’s one of them, right ……?

“Well, yes! While we were at the beach today and while we were taking turns asking him out just now, Master’s eyes were always glued to Keika’s boobs.”

“Hm? Ai, are you angry right now?”

Angry? Yes. Fuming? Very much so.

“Sigh ………… This was all a big waste of time. I’m going to sleep.”

Sora-sensei grabs Keika by the collar and drags her all the way to her futon, but she still doesn’t wake up. 

Meanwhile, Ayano picks up Charlette and says, “Come now, Charlette. Brush your teeth before bed.”

“…… Cha …… Cha not fwinished ……”

Charlette says as she rubs her eyes and gets down.

Then, she crawls her way over to Master and–––

“Hm? Is something wrong, Charlette?”

“Masta. Wisten cwose?”

“Listen? Okay.”

“Cha, Cha …… Masta?”

Charlette’s lips are so close to Master’s ear that they’re almost touching.

Then, she whispers these words.

“…… Cha lubs yew♡”

––– Charlette … loves … Master.

What do you think happened to Master after hearing that pure as snow, sweet as whipped cream confession of love?

His switch flipped. What else?

His face turns so much redder than with Ayano …… Boom! It sounds like a cannon just went off.

“Char- …………!”

Next thing I know, Master has his arms around her and announces for everyone to hear, “I promise to make you the happiest girl on earth!!”

“Yippie♡”

So much for going out on a date. Master jumped all the way to marrying her.

I won’t allow it! Of course, I’ll never allow that to happen!!

Sora-sensei is just as upset as I am! She’s furious!!

“H-Hey, Yaichi!! What are you doing, embracing the six-year-old?!”

“She’s right, Master! We all just agreed that you aren’t a lolicon, and the first thing you do is–––?!”

“So what if I am?!” Master snaps back with Charlette still in his arms.

Sora-sensei trembles for just a moment before returning fire.

“Y-You’re admitting it, are you?!”

“NO! I may act like it sometimes, but I am NOT a lolicon!”

“You can’t have it both ways ……,” says Ten-chan coolly, but Master isn’t listening to anyone else. He’s not looking at anyone other than Charlette, either.

Dara ……

Dara, dara, dara, dara ……

Daradaradaradaradaradaradaradaradaradaradaradara …… DARABUCHI!!

“We’ve learned something today on this trip …… Here on the beautiful Awaji Island and all across this vast world we live on ……!” says Master, trying to sound profound.

“Umm …… This music, maybe?”

“Mio. You don’t have to play anything for this ……”

It’s strange ……

Even the weirdest things when said with the right music in the background can sound like an epiphany …… Bizarre ……

“Yes, we have learned that no matter how much you clash with someone else, if only you open your mind just like that glimmering ocean out there …… And have the courage to say what’s in your heart, they’ll understand and all misconceptions will be resolved ……!”

Misconceptions?

Hmm, I wonder?

There are going to be misconceptions no matter what he says so long as Master keeps holding Charlette like that.

“I’m being berated by society for simply offering to make Charlette my bride ……”

“As should be expected.”

“You’d be executed in America for this.”

“However!!”

Master drowns out Ten-chan and Sora-sensei’s valid points by shouting over them.

“I didn’t make the offer because she’s six years old! The person I want to treasure just happens to coincidentally be six years old!!”

Then Master looks into the ice-cold stares boring holes into him and yells.

“Therefore, I AM NOT A LOLICON! It only looks that way to you and to the rest of society because you’re blinded by a number called age! You don’t see the genuine love! Open your hearts and minds, just like the ocean! …… Well?! If you still think I’m a lolicon now, say it to my face!!”

“LOLICON!!”

“………………… But why ……?”

Do you have to ask?! Master, you dara!!

*This story is a novelized version of the Drama CD included with the special release version of “The Ryuo’s Work Is Never Done! Book 4.”