Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 13 - Chapter SS

NANIWA’S SNOW WHITE AND THE DEMON KING’S DAY OFF

Ginko Sora was fast asleep.

The girl known as Naniwa’s Snow White lay serenely between white sheets as if she had become Sleeping Beauty.

“She seems to be sleeping soundly,” commented Shogi Association Chairman Seiichi Tsukimitsu as he listened to her rhythmic breathing and a smile of relief swept across his face.

A blind Shogi prodigy, sound was how he comprehended the world around him.

The way his playing style was compared to the speed of light was both an ironic twist from the Shogi gods and a miracle in its own right.

“…… Sorry, chairman.”

As he always did when addressing Mr. Tsukimitsu, Ginko’s younger brother apprentice Yaichi Kuzuryu spoke in a clear, respectful voice.

“If this is important, I can call you as soon as she wakes up, but ……”

“No, no. That won’t be necessary, Ryuo.”

Mr. Tsukimitsu smiled toward Yaichi sitting in a chair at Ginko’s bedside and continued, “I would like nothing more than for her to rest without having anything more on her mind. She’s been fighting a strenuous battle over these past six months, so she deserves as much.”

The Sub League’s 3-dan division.

Ginko made it through that six-month hell on earth on her first attempt.

At the same time, she accomplished a grand achievement: becoming the first female professional Shogi player in history.

Though she was not a Junior High School Pro like Yaichi had been, she reached the rank of 4-dan at the age of 15 just as he did––– albeit mere days before her 16th birthday.

The news had gone beyond the confines of the Shogi world. All of Japan was now on the edge of its collective seat, waiting for this delicate girl to awaken.

“She will open her eyes to a life she has never known. Slow moments like these will be rare and few in between for quite a while moving forward. The association is receiving an endless stream of requests as we speak. TV spots, exhibition matches …… Rest assured, we will decline the vast majority, but now that she has become a professional, rejecting them all is no longer an option.”

“I think she understands that. But ……”

“What is it, Ryuo?”

Yaichi struggled to find the right words. Summoning up all his courage, he decided to be frank with the chairman.

“She seemed extremely concerned about when her debut will take place.”

“I cannot make any promises about when her professional debut will happen at this time. The matching process has yet to get underway.”

Mr. Tsukimitsu’s response was cautious and deliberate.

Skill had the final say in the Shogi world.

Turn that statement around, and it meant each player was selling their popularity.

With popularity, sponsorships follow. Nearly limitless matches could be scheduled so long as sponsors provided financial backing and prize money.

And the first match played by the first female professional had the potential to generate great revenue, even as an exhibition match.

If said match were to be against the Meijin, with all his accolades and recently bestowed Citizen’s Award, it was not difficult to surmise that the association would have an unfathomable payday instore.

Mr. Tsukimitsu’s position as chairman required him to take the benefits to the Shogi world as a whole into consideration.

Now that his tactic of shielding Ginko with the line Sub League members are still in training was no longer applicable, a difficult decision lay before him.

“…… Currently, we would prefer Miss Sora’s debut to be a league match. We have no intention of organizing a special exhibition match to mark the occasion. Isn’t that right, Ms. Oga?”

He confirmed with his secretary, Sasari Oga Women’s 1-dan who stood at his side.

In turn, she opened her agenda and answered, “That’s correct, chairman. We have no such plans at this time.”

“…… Thank you,” said Yaichi.

These two saying so meant that they would do their utmost to see it happen …… Ms. Oga opening her agenda to confirm despite having the upcoming schedule memorized was a small performance meant to reassure Yaichi and Ginko of that very fact.

This consideration was the best medicine for the battered and bruised Ginko.

Mr. Tsukimitsu smiled and brought up a different topic.

“By the way, Ryuo. I believe I asked you for a comment from Miss Sora as a newly promoted 4-dan. Was she able to prepare one?”

“Oh, yes. I had her prioritize getting it done while she was awake. Ummm ……”

Yaichi struggled sifting through his pockets to find the piece of paper Ginko had written for him.

Mr. Tsukimitsu, being blind, simply waited patiently but his secretary had to stifle a chuckle as she watched the events unfold.

“…… Found it. This is it.”

“If I may.”

Ms. Oga stepped in for her superior and read the document aloud for him as she always did.

Aspiration at 16 Ginko Sora 4-dan

Looking back, 12 years have passed since I began studying Shogi under Kousuke Kiyotaki at the age of four. Over that span, seven years have been spent in the Sub League. That’s more than half of my Shogi lifetime.

It began with failure. After my first Sub League Entrance Exam, I thought I was doomed to be labeled an outcast despite being only seven years old. The darkness I confronted back then continues to haunt me even now as a professional.

I give credit to luck for passing through the 3-dan division in my inaugural season.

Mine has been an emotional journey. However, I cannot afford to look back. There will be time for that once I retire. All I can do now is face forward and keep moving. I must forge my own path to places I have yet to see.

Ran-ningu to horaizon ……

“………… What do you think?” asked Yaichi with the same face as a student waiting for their teacher’s remarks. Though he didn’t write it himself, he was even more curious to know their evaluation than if it had been his own words.

“Let me think ……”

Mr. Tsukimitsu ran his finger across his chin and continued.

“…… Ms. Oga, what are your thoughts?”

“Huh? Y-You would like one’s opinion? One thinks ………… Well ……”

She bought herself a few seconds to process the shock of being asked directly by pushing her glasses up and down her nose as she looked between the paper and her superior. Finally, Ms. Oga put her thoughts into words.

“…… It seems rather formal. Though she is a professional player, she is also a high school student. Something more youthful and vibrant may be more relatable. Also, the last sentence feels rather forced, like a slogan that misses the mark. Personally, I think readers will find her English hilarious …… Cough, more memorable than anything else.”

“Interesting. Very fine points as always, Ms. Oga.”

The chairman agreed with his secretary’s assessment to the point that it was slightly awkward.

“And your thoughts, Ryuo? Keeping the content as is, how would you feel about …… making minor adjustments?”

“That should be fine. Gin–––.”

Yaichi stopped himself mid-word and nodded.

“…… Big Sis was trying a little too hard. It seemed like she thought she should be as professional as possible, now that she’s a pro. All those commas and no contractions ……”

“It’s that way for everyone, myself and the Meijin included.”

For the sake of her reputation, as she was unable to take part in this discussion, Ginko Sora had done background research–—.

She had used previous articles written by players upon promotion as a reference. It goes without saying that Mr. Tsukimitsu’s and Yaichi’s were among them.

Therefore, if she had been awake at this juncture, she would have said, “It’s not my fault it’s so formal!”

Though, they may have had a good point about the last line.

“We shall be leaving now, Ryuo. Please give my regards to Sora 4-dan.” 

“Going already?”

“Indeed. I must prepare for my press conference this afternoon. I may need to contact you once the alterations to her article have been completed, however.”

“Of course, anytime …… And, um, I’m sorry I didn’t get tea for both of you ……”

“Please, pay it no mind. Once the dust has settled, I would love to celebrate the occasion with the whole Kiyotaki Shogi family. In Osaka, to be clear.”

Yaichi and Ginko’s master, Kousuke Kiyotaki, also happened to be Mr. Tsukimitsu’s younger brother apprentice.

Without apprentices or descendants of his own, the Kiyotaki household may be the one place the ever-isolated Mr. Tsukimitsu could feel the warmth of a family.

From Yaichi and Ginko’s perspective, the Eternal Meijin was simultaneously an existence far out of reach and a kind, uncle-like presence who had been in their lives since they began training over a decade ago.

“…… Yes. I’ll see you in Osaka,” Yaichi promised as they parted ways.

The chairman placed his hand on his secretary’s shoulder so she could lead him out the door, and Yaichi happened to catch the question he posed.

“If I may ask, Ms. Oga. You have been chuckling to yourself since the moment we stepped inside their hospital room …… Was something amiss?”

“My apologies. The juvenility was just so …… He-he.”

“Juvenile? You couldn’t be referring to Miss Sora’s professionalism, could you? In which case, what type of juvenility are you referring to?”

“He-he-he. Well, it just so happens–––……”

Though Mr. Tsukimitsu had difficulty comprehending the juvenility his secretary was describing, asking the same question to Ginko would have most definitely made her blush.

At any rate, the guests had departed.

Yaichi and Ginko were alone in the hospital room with a fruit basket so large it required both hands to carry. A card that read Get well soon – Japan Shogi Association was pinned to the basket.

“Whew …… It was only a few minutes, but being in the same room with the chairman is seriously nerve-racking ……”

Yaichi then tried to undo the top button of his jacket.

However, he struggled to slide it through the hole.

Which made sense since he was only using his left hand.

“…… Ms. Oga noticed I was holding Ginko’s hand the whole time, didn’t she ……?”

Yaichi finally got the button undone and whispered to himself as he pulled his right hand, still interlocked with Ginko’s, out from underneath the white blanket.

She had asked to hold hands before falling asleep.

Then she fell into a deep slumber without letting go.

Of course, Yaichi was sure that she would either wake up or release his hand before the chairman arrived, but Ginko kept sleeping with his hand in hers. It was as if Snow White had truly become Sleeping Beauty.

Yaichi panicked when there was a knock at the door and greeted their guests from his seat at her bedside with their hands hastily hidden under the blanket.

“The blanket was my only chance ……”

Yaichi tried many times to take his hand away while talking with Mr. Tsukimitsu, but Ginko’s unconscious grip was much stronger than he expected. Not to mention part of him didn’t want to let go either, so Yaichi kept his hand in hers under the covers the entire time.

He thought hiding that fact from the blind chairman would be easy.

However, deceiving his observant secretary was next to impossible.

There was no doubt Ms. Oga was describing the scene to her superior at this very moment. What’s more, it would surely be used as ammunition to force Yaichi and Ginko to go along with their plans in the future.

Sasari Oga wasn’t feared as the Shadow Don for nothing.

“…… Yeesh. I’m dying over here while you’re sleeping like a rock,” Yaichi grumbled as future perils ran through his mind.

Ginko was fast asleep.

So, of course she didn’t respond.

“Ginko? You’re sleeping …… right?”

Yaichi looked back down at the girl sleeping on the bed.

“Hm? Hold on a sec. She looks redder than before …… Maybe the room got too warm because there were so many people in here?” Yaichi mumbled as he checked the air conditioning remote and lowered the temperature a few degrees with his left hand.

As Tokyo was still roasting in late summer heat at the beginning of September, it was the correct course of action.

Cooler air began to fill the room and Yaichi returned his line of sight to Ginko.

“She really is pretty ………… Cute, too ……”

He gently brushed the silver bangs away from her eyes using his left hand and gazed lovingly upon her.

Her skin was a pure, almost glistening white.

Apart from the pink dusting that covered her cheeks, that is.

Seeing his childhood friend now on the brink of womanhood sound asleep was too much for Yaichi, and he let out a long sigh.

“Haaaaaa …… Sleeping Ginko is just too cute ………… And she and I are actually together now? A real couple? Man, people are going to be so jealous ……”

Without the fear of being overheard by Ginko, Yaichi’s voice grew louder with every word.

The Shogi fandom had been spouting theories about their relationship for years.

Fans who considered them to simply be sibling apprentices were in the vast minority.

Threads about Ginko in chat rooms across the Internet had once been filled with comments like they’re dating, no doubt and not yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

…… Until Yaichi took elementary school-aged apprentices, anyway.

Once rumors started to spread that he was living with one of them, fan comments along the lines of I guess they weren’t dating after all, Yep, just apprentice siblings, So, he was just a lolicon who likes flat chests and Snow White the invincible couldn’t beat out a little girl in the end, huh …… drowned out the rest.

Thus Ginko had a great deal of things to say to him.

“If you’re going to ask me out, hurry up already!” For example.

“Quit giving grade schoolers special treatment!” For instance.

“Stupid!” 

“Oblivious!” 

“Drop dead!” 

The list goes on.

However ……………… “I love you, too” …… was on that list.

“Huh? She’s definitely getting redder …… Lowering the AC a bit more wouldn’t hurt.”

Yaichi used his left hand to work the remote.

It was now cool enough in the room to raise goosebumps.

Be that as it may, the red blotches on Ginko’s cheeks showed no signs of regressing.

In fact, the redness had spread across her face and the girl who often came off as cold as ice now looked more like a girl her age should.

Meanwhile, Yaichi’s heart began to race as he watched her adoringly.

“Holy …… I don’t think I’ll be able to look her in the eyes when she wakes up ……”

He blushed hard enough to rival Ginko’s face.

Then, almost as if the little voice in his head managed to escape his lips, “Perfect …… This level of cute is just too perfect ……”

Ginko’s cheeks seemed to turn a deeper shade of red and Yaichi could swear that her grip was even tighter than before. Since she’s fast asleep, it had to be his imagination.

Nevertheless, he tightened his own grasp on his girlfriend’s hand and gazed at her face with affection.

“So cute …… Who knew that she was this perfect when she wasn’t on a rampage ……? I could stay like this for hours …… OUCH! Okay, she’s definitely squeezing harder!!”

Just then.

“Yo! Turn your head and cough!”

“Naughty boys and girls flirting in hospital beds must receive their shots.”

The door gets flung open in the blink of an eye to reveal two nurses standing in the doorway.

“R-Ryou?! M-Machi?! How did you know it was this hospital?! And, what’s with those nurse outfits?! Don’t tell me …… that’s how you snuck in here?!”

Yaichi released Ginko’s hand in a panic. Mr. Tsukimitsu and Ms. Oga were one thing, but being seen by these two would cause far more problems than it was worth. Yaichi’s decision was correct. Also, it turned out Ginko’s strong grip was his imagination because his hand slipped out instantaneously.

“Greetings to you, Ryuo-san. The word sneak is a bit inappropriate.”

“That’s right, Kuzu. Look, there just happened to be a Women’s League fan club cosplay event ’round the corner. That’s why we’re dressed like this. It ain’t my fault they let us walk right past security.”

“That’s what sneaking in means!!”

The two Women’s Title Holders strode into the room carrying a fruit basket, a red and white celebratory card with the words Congratulations on your promotion —All your friends pinned to the front and a vase full of flowers without an ounce of consideration for its occupants. They pushed Yaichi out of the way and peered down at Ginko from her bedside.

“Eh? Ginko’s out cold, is she? Damn, this thing is heavy …… Ah, there we go.”

Saying that, Ryou Tsukiyomizaka set the fruit basket down.

Directly on top of Ginko’s chest.

“Hey! What you think you’re doing?! Big Sis’ll die like that!!”

Yaichi raced forward in a rage and lifted the fruit basket off her chest.

“My bad, my bad. Was lookin’ for a nice, flat surface and what do you know, there was one right here …… yah?”

“I get what you’re saying but quit joking around!”

Yaichi’s blood was still burning.

He screamed at them to protect the one he loved.

“Yes, Big Sis has a flat chest! Right now, it’s even flatter than usual because it’s wrapped in bandages to help support her broken ribs! It’s pretty much an airport runway and anything you put there will sit level. I realize that, but you know something?! She hit that flat chest so hard that she promoted to 4-dan!! What’s wrong with being flat, huh?! Who cares if things can sit on top of her easily?! That smooth chest …… proves just how hard Ginko’s been working!!”

“I wasn’t goin’ that far ……”

Ryou Tsukiyomizaka was clearly taken aback. Indeed, she was implying nothing of the sort. Get it together, Yaichi. I’ll put your head on a pike … is most likely what Ginko would have said if she had been awake.

“Ryuo-san, Ryuo-san.”

“Yes, Machi?”

“Just now, I believe I saw a disgruntled frown pass across Ginko’s visage …… Could she perhaps be awake?”

“No, no. She’s out like a light. They gave her some painkillers, so it’d take a lot to wake her up.”

Yaichi rejected the idea with solid logic.

And he was absolutely correct. Ginko’s medicine had made her drowsy, thus she was fast asleep. Besides, she was far too mature to be disgruntled by such insignificant developments. Compared to her experience in the 3-dan division, Ryou Tsukiyomizaka and Machi Kugui’s unannounced appearance didn’t even register.

“This room’s darn chilly, don’t you think?”

“It’s comfortable.”

Yaichi shot down another claim. Yes, he’s exactly right.

“Besides, what’s that ridiculously huge basket ……? Did you seriously bring a congratulatory gift on a hospital visit? And from what I can see, it’s pretty much just bananas and cheap fruit in here ……”

Yaichi lifts up the basket that had been on Ginko’s chest only to discover it was surprisingly light.

“This bouquet is extravagant, is it not? In fact, I arranged these flowers myself.”

“Cut the crap, Machi,” snarled Ryou as she angrily yanked the basket from Yaichi’s grasp.

“I’m the one who brought this extravagant fruit basket right here!! I even bought the basket over at Takano Fruits! …… But I did get the fruit from a small shop down the street from my place, though.”

“Takano? You mean that place by Shinjuku Station? You can eat there, too.”

“Sure can. You been there, Kuzu?”

“Back when I was 4-dan, Ayumu invited me there after I had a match here in Kanto.”

That was news to all present.

“But I thought it was weird for two guys to get fruit parfaits, so I turned him down.”

Upon hearing that, Machi succinctly commented, “It would not seem out of place to witness you doing so with Ayumu, Ryuo-san.”

Indeed. Those two were beyond suspicious.

Back when Ginko and Yaichi were young children, Ayumu Kannabe came to study Shogi overnight at the Kiyotaki household on many occasions. They were so comfortable around each other that it made Ginko jealous. They bathed together and even slept side-by-side in the lower bunk of the bunk bed that Ginko and Yaichi shared. Imagine Ginko’s shock when she saw them holding hands as they snored the night away …… The recent appearance of Ayumu’s younger sister Maria (currently in elementary school) provided Ginko with yet another source of headaches.

Ryou Tsukiyomizaka spoke up as if she suddenly remembered.

“Come to think of it, my older brother apprentice promised he’d treat me to Takano’s fruit buffet if he ever went pro.”

“Mr. Sakanashi said that? To you? He never joined me for dinner no matter how many times I offered ……,” said Yaichi, sounding a little hurt.

Sumito Sakanashi was promoted to 4-dan at the same time as Ginko.

Normally only two players from the 3-dan division are promoted to the professional leagues after each six-month season. However, Mr. Sakanashi was granted a freelance position due to the bonus points he received from placing third two seasons in a row.

That being said, Mr. Sakanashi spent years toiling in the Sub League and generally kept to himself.

Perhaps making it to 4-dan right before the age restrictions forced him to retire inspired him to turn over a new leaf. It’s also possible that he always had a soft spot for his younger sister apprentice Ryou Tsukiyomizaka. Or maybe ……

It dawned on Yaichi and he yelled, “Agh! Don’t tell me the two of you are–––?!”

“H-Hell no! Actually, get this!”

Ryou Tsukiyomizaka leaned right into him and started ranting.

“That old fart got real friendly with some college chick at the driving school I recommended for him! Apparently she started making cupcakes for him with go get ’em♡ written in frosting before his matches once he told her he was in the Sub League! Then he goes and wins 14 matches in a row after losing four right off the bat?! I think I deserve a thank you, yah?! DON’T I?!”

“Quite far off the mark,” Machi Kugui interjected.

But Ryou Tsukiyomizaka was far from finished. “Must be nice! Got into the pros, got himself a girl! Both at once! The guy’s a real pro at life, yah?!”

Yaichi clammed up.

“You know what, I bet the old fart made a deal with her like be my girlfriend if I get into the pros! He had hot and nasty things playin’ out in his head when he was in the 3-dan Exclusive Arena! That’s sacrilege, I tell you! SA-CRI-LEGE!!”

“………… Y-Yeah. He should’ve …… taken Shogi more seriously ……”

“I feel sorry for the 3-dans who’ve committed their lives to Shogi. Damn, the Shogi gods are cruel. You think so too, right Kuzu? Yah?”

“………… Sure ……… I …… do ………………………………………”

Despite being directly beneath the flow of frigid air from the air conditioning, Yaichi broke out in a cold sweat.

Ginko and Yaichi confirmed their feelings for each other while she was still in the 3-dan division …… However, they buried their feelings deep within their hearts with a sealing move, and their relationship remained platonic, unlike Mr. Sakanashi’s case.

Who has dirty ideas in their head? Want a pike through yours? …… was what Ginko would have countered with had she been awake to hear that.

“Well, as Ginko shows no signs of awakening from her slumber, it is about time we bid you adieu,” said Machi once she had placed the orchid bouquet on a shelf where it could never be missed by anyone. Ryou Tsukiyomizaka, who had started scrolling through her phone out of boredom, was quick to agree.

“Yah. We’ll be back.”

“Say what?! You will?!”

Yaichi takes a punch from Ryou Tsukiyomizaka for sounding annoyed that she wanted to return. She, however, started comparing her fruit basket to the one Mr. Tsukimitsu had brought.

“But, yah. Ginko’d never be able to eat all this fruit. I’d hate for it to rot away in here, so we’ll pitch in!”

“Huh? But that’s from the chairman–––!”

“Hey, no need to thank us! I’ll take these melons, apples and peaches off your hands. All that sugar’ll put Ginko into diabetic shock before she can heal up.”

“Mangoes are in season, no?”

“Good point. The mangoes, too. Speaking of which, the mangoes that Mr. Kagamizu brought back from his ’rent’s place in Miyazaki that he passed out in the Player’s Room, now those were good …… I’ll miss that guy ……”

Hiuma Kagamizu.

The man who fought against the age limit all the way up to just before his 30th birthday had his last remaining door to the professional leagues closed off when he lost to Ginko.

Theirs was a match that will live on in legends within the Sub League for decades to come. The quality of the match record had nothing to do with it. It was the immeasurable amount of emotion and willpower that went into each and every move that made their match so memorable.

Had Ginko’s fingertips drifted just a few centimeters in any direction at the very end, it would be Mr. Kagamizu with 4-dan attached to his name right now rather than her ……

Reflecting fondly on the Kansai Sub League’s big brother, Machi said in a mellow tone, “We must see to it he receives a fitting farewell party. Will you attend as well, O-Ryou?”

“With this fruit right here, yah. Let’s head straight to Kansai an’ tell him we swiped them from Ginko’s personal stash. That’ll make him feel a bit better, won’t it?”

“Most certainly.”

Ryou Tsukiyomizaka and Machi Kugui then disappeared with their arms full of the expensive fruit like marauders after a successful pillage.

They spent all of five minutes in the room.

Their visit had been as welcome as an out-of-season typhoon.

All present had endured the gale force winds and heavy downpour, but felt somewhat empty now that the storm had cleared.

“………… Why did they come here, anyway ……?” Yaichi mumbled to himself in a daze.

The fact that they had interrupted his time alone with Ginko and taken their fruit had left him agitated to his very core, but …… it didn’t end there.

The door opened just enough for Machi to pop her head inside.

“Machi? Did you forget something?”

“Ryuo-san. Please forgive O-Ryou for today.”

“Huh?”

An unexpected request.

Machi quietly explained herself to clear up Yaichi’s confusion.

“Her pain comes from her own failed attempt at the Sub League. The average Women’s League player cannot fathom its depths. She resisted coming here. The only way for her to conceal that pain was to lash out, as you saw. Our costumes were to hide the heart she wore on her sleeve.”

“Ahh ………… I see. That makes sense ……”

After qualifying for the Women’s League, Ryou Tsukiyomizaka tried her hand at the Sub League instead. Yaichi was able to connect the dots once Machi reminded him of that.

The young woman was unable to express her feelings or deal with her inner turmoil in a direct manner.

“She was a wreck immediately following her forced retirement. I believe that she had conflicted feelings about returning to the Women’s League. Abandoning Shogi altogether was well within the realm of consideration, yet O-Ryou chose to carry on despite knowing she was bereft of the Shogi gods’ favor ……”

“…………”

“Ginko has seized victory. Though I believe the true battle still lies ahead. Though we have nary an opportunity to face her directly anymore, a battle shall ensue nonetheless. Said battle will only become more intense now that it cannot take place over a Shogi board,” Machi stated with grace and then she waved one last time saying, “until we meet again in Kansai,” before disappearing right back out the door for good.

“Phew …… Whatever that was, it sure wasn’t a hospital visit ……”

Yaichi’s assessment hit the nail right on the head. That wasn’t a simple hospital visit.

It seemed closer to, yes, a declaration of war.

However, had Ginko been conscious, she would have been elated that the two of them had barged into her hospital room. Her face may not have shown it, but her heart would have definitely felt it.

“………… You made some great friends.”

Yaichi was the reason Ginko had met them in the first place. Ten years had already passed since that day.

Their relationship couldn’t have gotten off to a rockier start.

However, Yaichi was glad to see that all of them could walk the same path despite every bump in the road that came along the way.

Then again.

“Ginko? Are you still sleeping?”

Yaichi shot his girlfriend an annoyed glance as she slept soundly on the bed.

Even with all the noise and ruckus in the room, Ginko’s breathing still had the same rhythmic pattern as before.

Frustration was beginning to take its toll on Yaichi.

“Yeesh, you make me do all the hard stuff while you snooze all comfy in that bed. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that smile ……”

It was a figment of his imagination, but Yaichi was certain that grin had appeared across Ginko’s lips.

We’re together, right? It’s your job to protect me, stupid Yaichi.

Of course, that too was just a figment of his imagination.

Though the bond they shared was so strong …… it could very well have been real.

“It’s been like that forever. I always took the blame whenever Master or Keika got angry because you are just a little too good at adapting to the punches. Every bad thing you did turned into my fault. So–––.”

Ginko was fast asleep.

Which gave Yaichi Kuzuryu an idea.

“………… It wouldn’t kill you to show me some appreciation, would it?”

Yaichi reached out to touch her crystal clear, silky smooth skin.

Then, aligning his face with hers, he leaned lower and lower until his lips–––.

“Ginko! Are you okay?!”

What greeted Keika Kiyotaki’s eyes as she burst into the hospital room was Ginko lying comfortably in the bed and Yaichi sitting quietly in the chair next to her.

Her shoulders nearly reached her ears with every breath, and still Yaichi shooshed Keika by putting a finger over his lips.

“…… (Shhh)”

“Ah! …… Sorry.”

Keika closed the door behind her without making a sound.

Had she been calmer, the strange air in the room would have caught her attention.

How forced Yaichi’s expression was, for instance.

Or that the room was bizarrely cold.

She also would have found the very intentional space between the two of them to be rather odd.

However, Keika was too sick with worry after her extremely rushed trip from Osaka to notice any of those things.

Careful not to let her footsteps be heard, Keika approached Ginko’s bedside.

“…… Is she sleeping?”

“Apparently, being awake hurts too much,” said Yaichi, gesturing at his own chest.

“It looks like she punched it with everything she had during her last match in the 3-dan division. The x-ray confirmed that a few of her ribs are cracked. One of her lungs looks damaged, too.”

“That’s horrible ………… She was just playing Shogi, so how ……?”

“I understand what you’re saying. But, dan-ranking members of the Sub League play two matches, and things start getting hazy towards the end of the second one. Whether it’s smacking their cheeks way too hard or pinching their shins, everyone tends to hurt themselves without meaning to at one point or another.”

Life and death.

That phrase was not the most relevant to professional matches.

Only in the Sub League did each match a player has ever played literally collide with the rest of their lives in such a decisive manner.

“Still, there’s nothing to worry about. Dr. Akashi came to check on her already, and he gave me his word that her ribs are the only problem.”

“………… Alright.”

Keika nodded.

Yaichi was still unaware of the true extent of Ginko’s heart condition. Keika had decided to take it upon herself to tell him one day if Dr. Akashi would not …… While that day may come, today wasn’t it.

“By the way, Yaichi. Don’t you think it’s …… a bit chilly in here?”

“Really? I think it’s comfortable.”

“Ohh ……? Well, what about Ginko’s mother? Is she still on her way?”

“I got a message from her a while ago saying that she was going to check into the hotel first. It sounds like she’s planning to stay for a long time.”

“How many years has it been since you saw her, Yaichi? Can you greet her properly?”

“O-Of course, I can …… I’ll be nervous, but I can do it.”

“If you say so. But you need to say it loud and clear, understood? Say give me your daughter.”

“HUUH?! Wh-Wh-Why in the world would I say something like that?!”

“Giggle. Did I jump the gun a little bit?”

Keika smiled teasingly and lifted up the fruit basket she was carrying.

“I brought some apples. It’s a bit early in the season, but they should be ripe.”

“Th-Thanks …… Actually, the chairman and Ms. Oga brought us one of the deluxe assortments, but it got raided by Ryou and Machi a little bit ago.”

“Those two were here?”

“Before I could tell them what hospital, they just kinda showed up …… Running away from Machi is impossible.”

“You’re probably right ………… But she wasn’t after Ginko by the sound of it ……”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“Not a word,” Keika denied with a sly grin.

Then she reset her frame of mind.

“More importantly! It’s a zoo outside the hospital, did you know that? TV cameras, reporters …… How did they find out where Ginko is?”

“People in the Shogi world like to talk.”

Yaichi shrugged.

“Sure, we keep our distance from outsiders, but secrets don’t last long on the inside. And no one has a filter when it comes to newspaper or magazine writers they know personally. Those writers work for publishing companies, and their information spreads from there ……”

“So word gets out quickly.”

“Besides, most people put in charge of overseeing Shogi articles for big newspapers and magazines are typically former Shogi club members at famous universities, right? Highly decorated amateur players have connections with pros that go way back, so it’s like talking with old friends to them. Not that I’d know about that because I never went to high school, but still.”

Yaichi’s words were a bit sharper than normal.

Since Ginko had always been the boisterous one, Yaichi appeared placid by comparison …… However he sounded surprisingly belligerent to Keika at the moment.

“You seem a bit agitated.”

“No kidding.”

“Is it because Ginko is that important to you?”

“Of course she is. She’s …… my older sister apprentice.”

“Uh-huuuh? Mnn-hmmm?”

Keika’s subliminal why can’t you say she’s your girlfriend right now, hm? message came across as clear as day.

However Ginko and Yaichi had already discussed this.

Even a practical member of the family like Keika …… No, because Keika was so close to them, they wanted to deliver the news together at the proper time and place. If possible, they wanted their Master, Kousuke Kiyotaki, to be present as well.

Which was why Yaichi stood firm against Keika’s interrogation and utterly refused to let the news slip.

Yaichi jutted his chin toward the window.

“Those reporters outside would follow even if we went back to Osaka, right? It’s better for her to stay here and heal up for right now.”

“Is that what Dr. Akashi said?”

“Yeah. Since she’s here, it’d be great to run some other tests, too. You know, one of those thorough checkups?”

“Uh-huuuh ……”

“Plus, journalists are going to want to interview her and who knows how many TV offers are coming. It’d be a lot easier on Ginko to just stay in Tokyo for a long time and get them all out of the way at once so that she doesn’t have to waste energy going back and forth.”

“Are you sure she should be doing that? I brought the tablet with the software you asked for so she can do research, but I don’t think the hospital is the best place for it.”

“It’ll work.”

“Huh? But–––!”

Her skills are going to suffer! However, Yaichi already had a counterargument prepared for just that and cut her off in midsentence.

“Doing research after an intense match like that? It’s pointless because nothing will stick. Worse, it burns you out. Rest is what she needs right now. A few casual matches over the Internet is enough. Having that tablet around for a change of pace will be perfect.”

“But, we still don’t know when her first match will be, right? She has to stay sharp and make sure she doesn’t get rusty. No wait, she’s got to get even better so she can hold her own against professionals–––.”

“New pros don’t face the top players from the get-go. She’ll be matched up against geezers well past their prime at first, so 4-dans actually have the advantage. Ginko will win as long as she sticks to what she’s good at. They’re all weaker than 3-dans anyway.”

Yaichi broached a typically taboo topic without so much as a second thought.

Sub League members who failed to make it into the professional leagues were in fact stronger than elderly players on the tail end of their careers. That was the undeniable truth.

Yaichi then explained another reason why now was not the time to fret.

“This is how it went for me too, but guys who get promoted to 4-dan in the early part of the year don’t make their debut until November or December …… around the time the Ryou League Preliminaries get started, yeah? Of course, the chairman didn’t tell me that, but hey.”

“So there’s some breathing room then?”

“Yeah. Especially now that she doesn’t have to worry about defending the Women’s Throne title anymore.”

“Does Ginko …… really have to give up her titles?”

Ginko claimed her first title in the spring of her sixth year in elementary school. She was 11 at the time.

Having held it for nearly 5 years, she qualified for Eternal status.

The Queen and Women’s Throne Titles would be connected with Ginko forever …… Practically every Women’s League player, not just Keika, felt that way.

“Ironic, isn’t it? Achieving her dream meant that she had to give up the titles she fought so hard to defend while never losing once ……”

“Maybe it’s better this way. Having that much baggage took a lot out of Ginko for years,” said Yaichi right on cue.

Baggage. Indeed, those two Women’s Titles had been a great deal of weight on Ginko’s shoulders. While never in the way, they were not something to be taken lightly.

And they would carry a different meaning moving forward.

“If she kept the titles, that means she’d keep playing against Women’s League players, right? Naniwa’s Snow White became a pro without a scratch on her record …… She’s become an absolute, a god almost. I don’t think that’s what Ginko really wanted anyway.”

Keika responded to Yaichi’s claim with disbelief.

“…… Are you saying that if she lost to a Women’s League player, she would take more heat now because she’s a professional? That …… her reputation would go down? That’s terrible ……”

“Naniwa’s Snow White has pretty much become a brand name on par with the Eternal Septuple, and both are only going to get more valuable from here on out. I doubt that the association or sponsors would want to put that at risk.”

“B-But! Ginko is so much better than the rest of us in the Women’s League. As long as she plays normally, there’s no way she would lose, would she?”

“No, she wouldn’t. Right now.”

Yaichi agreed … with one condition.

“But, that might not be true next year.”

“…………!!”

“The thing about competitors is that chemistry also comes into play. Even if one has a higher skill level, they won’t play their best if they’ve got some bad memories against a particular opponent. Heck, I’d struggle against some Women’s League players and Sub League members who’ve given me fits in the past if I got behind in waiting time.”

“Well …… That may be true, but ……”

Superiority and inferiority are determined whenever two players clash. However, the inferior player still has a decent chance to win any given match. Keika had experienced both sides of that coin.

Ginko Sora was strong. Overwhelmingly so.

That strength had become traumatic for members of the Women’s League.

Ryou Tsukiyomizaka and Machi Kugui got a taste of it when they lost to her very early on. That loss has grown into an internalized fear that prevented them from performing at their best against her to this day.

That was the trick behind the curtain of her legendary flawless record.

More so than her Shogi strength, she instilled fear in all her opponents.

Ginko was well aware of this and had been for years. She had come to loath Naniwa’s Snow White and the reputation that nickname had garnered, but she herself did not care about remaining undefeated against Women’s League players. In fact, if a loss against one of them would have afforded her even just one more victory star in the Sub League, she would have gladly made that exchange.

However, new players who didn’t fear the name Naniwa’s Snow White, let alone Ginko Sora, were now part of the Shogi world. A younger generation of players had arrived who possessed more talent than she had.

What’s more, the one reason said players–––.

“Well, pretty much anyone who makes it through the Sub League in high school has enough talent to make a run at a title. I mean, even pros are taking her seriously. Of course, the grade schooler who promoted along with her is getting a bit more of the attention, but still.”

“Th-That’s true. Sota has been all over the news.”

Sota Kunugi, a sixth-grade elementary school student.

In terms of just Shogi skill and talent, the first-ever elementary school–aged professional Shogi player was leagues above Ginko Sora. From the perspective of other professionals, he was most likely the greater threat.

“But I still think Naniwa’s Snow White is getting plenty of airtime. Part of it’s probably because she hasn’t had the press conference yet though ……”

“Maybe her getting hospitalized has unexpectedly raised everyone’s expectations? Hiding something only makes people want to know what it is even more.”

“Still, I’m worried about the future …… Ginko might roll with it like she always does, but ……”

“She’ll be fine. Ginko made it to the pros on her own power, and she’s physically stronger now than she used to be. She’s not that frail girl from way back when. And–––.”

“And?”

“My immaturity is part of the reason she went through the ringer. That ends now. I’ll be protecting her from here on out. I’m the younger brother apprentice, but I have more experience in the pros.”

I’ll protect her.

How reassuring would that show of determination have been had Ginko been awake to hear it? No doubt she would have broken down in tears of joy …… Just, she’s asleep right now.

Yaichi cast his loving gaze back on Ginko.

Keika, on the other hand, had to stifle a laugh.

“Well, this is new. Speaking of, when did you start calling her Ginko?”

“Huuuh?! I-I used to do it all the time!!”

“Oooh? But you’ve only called her Big Sis for years now. I was just wondering why the sudden change.”

“Nothing’s changed!” yelled Yaichi, his face bright red. “S-So …… how’s Ai doing?”

He abruptly changed the subject.

With the Crown Title Match to take part in, Yaichi had entrusted his apprentice to the Kiyotaki household.

Acutely aware of how awkwardly their conversation had turned, Keika decided to stay on this new discourse.

“She’s fine. I was with her until she left the house this morning, actually. She looked happy heading out the door.”

“I see. I’m glad, but sorry for always asking you to look after her ……”

“Don’t worry about that. What you should be worried about is that her best friend Mio is gone now. It can’t be easy for her …… I hope she’s feeling okay when she gets back from the airport. Dad is home, but that just makes me worry even more.”

“Mio’s the reason Ai was able to fit in so quickly. Her time with Shogi and school would’ve gone a lot differently without Mio around ……”

Ai Hinatsuru was not the only beneficiary.

While Yaichi was a given, Mio’s naturally energetic personality had positively impacted a great number of people. Even Ginko had to acknowledge that fact.

Loneliness and regret naturally came from being unable to say a final farewell in person.

However, the knowledge that they would see Mio again someday managed to overpower those emotions. So long as she continued to play Shogi, there was no doubt that their paths would cross once again.

And everyone who had met the girl with a smile as bright as the sun knew that she would never abandon Shogi.

So …… there were no goodbyes. No special words were necessary. Everyone would simply bolster their skills for the next time they met.

Yaichi looked out the window at the blue sky and said, “Do you think she’s in the air now?”

“If they made it to the airport in time, yes. I had to send the girls there on their own ……”

Keika seemed concerned.

Most likely she was feeling guilty about not seeing them off as they had originally planned. Granted, the express train went directly to the airport, and the staff would surely be able to assist the girls once they arrived. There was no need to hold their hands. In fact, Ginko and Yaichi were around their age when they rampaged their way through Shogi classrooms around the country.

Then suddenly.

“Oh, my phone is buzzing …… Maybe a message from Ai?”

Yaichi took his phone out of his pocket to check.

However someone else’s name appeared on the screen.

“Actually, it’s from Ayumu. He and Ms. Shakando would like to come for a hospital visit.”

“Shakando-sensei, too?! Well, she has looked out for Ginko quite a lot over the years. That’s nice of her to want to stop by.”

“It’s nice that she has enough common sense to ask first, unlike some people. But when it comes to clothes ……” 

“…… Those two in this tiny room might be a bit much.”

Women’s Legend Rina Shakando and her apprentice Ayumu were known for their distinct fashion sense: frilly dresses, capes and whatnot. Therefore, their very presence in this rather small private hospital room would be loud, to say the least.

“Also, the association sent out a report.”

“About Ginko I presume?”

“Yeah. Probably.”

Sub League players were required to place their cellular phones in a locker before their matches.

Although the phones were returned once matches had concluded, Ginko’s phone was still powered off. There had been more important things to attend to than turning it back on.

Thus, people wishing to contact Ginko were forced to go through someone who had a high probability of being with her. In other words, they had to contact Yaichi Kuzuryu.

“You think Ginko sees me as her personal secretary at this point?”

“The youngest Ryuo ever and Crown Challenger who’s on top of the Shogi world? Naaah.”

“I’m just a side note compared to the first female pro in history.”

“Give yourself more credit. Dad, Ai and I all watched that Crown Title match! I don’t think there are five players on earth who could’ve beaten that Okito-sensei as convincingly as you did.”

“It was all luck. The sealing move timing worked out, so I had all night to think.”

“Oh, the sealing move …… Dad and I both thought you were taking a big chance by forcing that attack. I still can’t believe it actually worked ……”

“That was luck, too.”

To anyone else’s ears, it would sound as if Yaichi was just being modest. However, that was more or less how he truly felt.

In the Shogi world, truly strong players were prudent all the time.

One could not afford to let pride or overconfidence weaken one’s fighting spirit. Yaichi knew this impenetrable mindset was directly connected with constructing equally robust formations on the board.

“Mr. Okito is strong. He never questions himself, not once. Everything he does has a clear purpose, and it all leads to one thing. He’ll come up with adjustments for the second match.”

“Because he believes in everything the software says?”

“That’s part of it. But it’s easier to keep blindly pushing forward when you believe in something.”

“Ah–––.”

Just like Ai.

Keika managed to swallow her words just in time. This was not the place to utter them …… As they would be quite a shock to those listening.

Instead Keika altered her statement to this.

“But …… questioning yourself is also what makes you stronger. Don’t you think?”

“Yeah.”

Yaichi nodded.

“It might mean taking the long way, but I believe that makes you stronger in the end.”

“…………”

One look at Yaichi’s face, and Keika was at a loss for words.

The boy she knew so well clearly wasn’t there anymore.

Yaichi in the not-too-distant past would never have been able to say that out loud. Surely his past losses and failures would have prevented that.

Now, however, he could turn those losses and failures into strength.

This Yaichi Kuzuryu wasn’t the kind little boy Keika had watched grow up.

Demon King of the West.

A young man who could stand up to the inhumanly strong sequences produced by computers and make them his own to become something stronger than a computer itself. He was arguably the strongest player currently active in professional Shogi.

The reason no one had stayed in the room more than a few minutes wasn’t out of consideration for Ginko.

They simply couldn’t stand it.

The intimidating majesty of said Demon King made them unconsciously head for the door. As if running away.

The stronger their senses, the more impactful his aura. It practically made them suffer. The currently A-ranked Seiichi Tsukimitsu most likely took the full brunt of its power.

Even Ginko would have been overwhelmed had she not been sleeping ……

Ginko was fast asleep.

The Demon King gazed lovingly upon Snow White before he took out his phone and stood up.

“Keika. Would you watch Ginko for a minute? I have to make a call.”

“S- …… sure. Take your time.”

“I’ll be back real quick, I promise.”

So saying, Yaichi left the room with only his phone in his hand.

Keika and Ginko were left alone in the hospital room.

“………… Now then.”

Once she was sure that Yaichi’s footsteps had faded and he was out of earshot, Keika turned her attention to the girl lying in bed and started talking.

“I know you’re awake, Ginko.”

“………………”

Ginko didn’t respond.

Of course, she didn’t. Her eyelids didn’t even flutter. How could Ginko hear her voice at all when she was fast asleep?

Keika, however, didn’t let that stop her.

“You’ve always been good at pretending to sleep so that you could keep an eye on Yaichi, haven’t you? I know that you have a condition, but I also know that you’re very good at faking sick. Like all those times you stayed home from school so you could practice Shogi, for example? Did you think nobody caught on? It’ll take more than wrinkling up your eyebrows in pain to pull a fast one on me.”

Ginko didn’t answer. She didn’t talk back. Even if she wanted to argue, she couldn’t because she was asleep.

Though it was true that Ginko was rather skilled at pretending to be asleep. For a girl whose earliest memories were dominated by being confined to a hospital bed, it was the first technique she ever learned.

Except this was different. She truly was asleep.

“Fine, whatever. You staying like that works better, anyway.”

…… Works better?

“I have to get back to Osaka today. I need to check up on Ai and my father, as well as get the rest of your stuff so I can bring it back up here. So I’ll be back before you know it, but I’m heading home today.”

Expelling all those words in one breath, Keika leaned in close to Ginko’s peacefully sleeping face.

“You realize what I’m saying, right?”

No. Not while I’m sleeping I can’t.

Keika pokes the still-unconscious Ginko’s cheek and declares, “I’ll help you out this one time so make the move and checkmate! That’s all.”

Then a few moments after that–––.

The door opens and Yaichi steps inside.

“I’m back.”

“That was fast.”

“Did someone drop by?”

“Huh? Nobody was here. Why?”

“I could’ve sworn I heard you talking to someone ……”

“I was venting to Ginko. You saw just how hard she’s been trying, haven’t you? Dad and I watched and held our breath the whole time, worried sick …… There’s so much I want to say to her I couldn’t wait until she wakes up to say it.”

“Ah …… I get that. Sorry, I should’ve called you and Master first thing–––.”

“No, Yaichi. That’s perfectly fine,” Keika continues in a rushed voice. “Here’s the thing, though. I know I just got here, but I need to get back to Osaka.”

“Huuuh?! Already?”

“Yes, already. But I need Ginko to wake up before I leave because I need to ask her lots of questions. There are things that only young women will understand, things they don’t want boys to overhear, you know?”

“Yeah …… That makes sense. Just like how there are some topics that only Ranging Rook players will actually understand. Like Double Ranging Rook strategies, for example.”

“Would you get your mind off Shogi for a minute? Look, I’m in a rush. That’s why I need your help, Yaichi.”

“‘My help?’”

Keika responds to the stunned look in Yaichi’s eyes like this.

“Yaichi. Do you know how Snow White was awakened after eating the poison apple?”

Still confused, he answers.

“She got kissed by a prince, right?”

“You do know, then. If you would.”

“Come again?”

“It’s up to you to wake up Snow White with a kiss. A big wet one, right on the lips.”

“PWFFF?! A k-k-k-kiss?!”

“Not a King, and certainly not a cat. The princess has been waiting all this time for a kiss.”

No, I’m not. Why would I be? I couldn’t care less!

…… Yaichi’s the one who tried to kiss me. I didn’t wake up so things didn’t get awkward, that’s all. This was what Ginko would have said were she not asleep. But since she was, there was no response at all.

“You must be getting hungry by now? I’ll go cut up one of these apples for you.”

Keika plucked one from the fruit basket and disappeared out the door.

But, she poked her head back inside just as quickly and said, “Ah! Almost forgot. I’d better tell you this first.”

“T- …… tell me what ……?”

“I’ll come back in about 15 minutes! 15, got that?!”

Then, Keika closed the door again and was gone for real this time.

“………………”

As the echoes of her louder-than-necessary footsteps disappeared down the corridor, Yaichi gulped down the saliva in his mouth.

Ginko was asleep. Sleeping like a rock.

It should be completely silent, but an unmistakable thumping now filled the room. It was Yaichi’s heart, no doubt, yet the other occupant could hear it loud and clear.

Had the air conditioner broken ……? Stiflingly hot.

“………………”

Awkwardness ensued.

A slightly sweet scent wafted through the air, almost like apples.

The hand that had stopped agonizingly short last time reached out once again and finally contacted her face.

Fingertips caressed her skin. They tingled like static electricity.

Hot. Ba-dump, ba-dump.

Then, his face bright red, Yaichi asked, “G-Ginko? ………………………… You’re asleep, right?”

I’ve been asleep the whole time, stupid Yaichi. Can’t you tell by looking? Stupid. Stupid idiot. Stupidest idiot the world has ever ………………… Mnnn ………♡

Then, after exactly 15 minutes had passed, Keika returned to the hospital room to find Ginko wide awake.

“Good morning, Ginko.”

“………… Morning.”

The young girl was still drowsy, her face an apple-like red. Yaichi, on the other hand, hid his face by looking out the window …… Keika didn’t touch the subject.

“Te-he-he! Looks like something else has been touched, right?”

Quiet down.