Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 14 - Chapter 1.2

  COMING TO TOKYO

“Ahhh! There you are, Yaichi!”

Seeing a man dressed in a sharp suit and his hair slicked back walking this way with a friendly wave, it takes me a few seconds to figure out who it is.

“…… Bro?”

He’s changed so much, I can hardly believe it.

The last time I saw him …… would’ve been during last year’s Ryuo Title Match, the fourth to be exact. He was still a poor college student during the opening night party at the Hinatsuru Inn.

“I never thought I’d see my slob of a brother working as a hotel businessman. Between your club activities in the three part-time jobs you were juggling back then, you wouldn’t have had any time left over to study. I guess working really does change people ……”

“Ha! Ha! Ha! Did a double take, didn’t you?”

The three Kuzuryu brothers are known for being slackers, but after he took a year off in the middle of college and still hadn’t found a job when he graduated in the winter of his fifth year, my big brother is in a league of his own.

Worse, he used my connections to get that job. More specifically, he managed to weasel his way into the good graces of Ai’s parents and is now making his way in the world. Talk about trash!

“Well, working directly under her would change anyone.”

“I have nothing but gratitude for Chairwoman Hinatsuru. Here, read her book and learn everything you can. Take her advice and all seven of those titles could be yours, not just the two.”

“Huh? Bro, do you always have that book with you ……?”

He hands me a book entitled The Power of Women in Charge (SB Creative) by Akina Hinatsuru with sticky notes of every color imaginable poking out of it. But the look in his eyes, that’s not the brother I know. More like a zealot ……

Ai Hinatsuru’s mother was in charge of an inn not too long ago. Now it sounds like she’s got an entire company ……

“So! What do you think, Yaichi?! How does the new HinaTsuru grab you?!!”

The reason why my brother, who works for an inn on the north coast, is in Tokyo happens to be printed on a brochure in my hand.

The epitome of luxury has arrived in Tokyo.

Fancy white letters printed above the Tokyo nightscape aren’t advertising the latest apartment complex. There’s more.

The HinaTsuru, an inn synonymous with excellence on the north coast, has opened its doors in Tokyo. Treat yourself to the finest cuisine and traditional services without leaving the city …… An experience you will treasure forever, The HinaTsuru.

Basically, Ai’s parents now own an inn in Tokyo as well.

While it’s not open to the public yet, they’re letting people with connections stay there already. So I took them up on the offer.

Just as all the fancy decorations start taking my breath away–––.

“Kuzuryu-sensei. How nice it is to see you again!”

“Ah! I-I’m sorry it’s been so long ……!!”

The owner has arrived. Just seeing her is enough to make me seriously consider kneeling. My brother, on the other hand, is already on his hands and knees paying reverence.

“It is an honor to host you on the day before your placement match. I hope we can continue this arrangement for the foreseeable future.”

“Honestly, this is a huge help! Now that Gin- …… Sora 4-dan is a pro, my whole Shogi family will be traveling to Tokyo a lot more often.”

Job offers for all of us have skyrocketed thanks to the Ginko Bubble. Any of us showing up to an event draws in the media like magnets. Even Shumai-sensei has gotten called ……

Also, since nearly all Women’s League players are registered in Tokyo, the more matches that Ai Hinatsuru, Ai Yashajin and Keika win, the more they’re going to need to travel here. That’s especially true of my first apprentice, who is going to have to come here at least 11 times over the course of the Women’s Legend league matches.

“But why did you choose now of all times to open a branch in Tokyo? I’m sure the idea must’ve come up before now?”

“Yes, of course. Even my grandfather entertained the idea of a Tokyo branch and even an international location.”

“So, what’s changed?”

“…… It was about a year ago now, I believe, that I happened to become acquainted with a particularly good developer. As my daughter is set to marry, I allotted my extra time to putting this plan into action.”

“Oh, that makes sense …… No, wait just a minute. We’re not married, remember? She’s just my apprentice, remember?”

“Perhaps it is you who does not remember, Kuzuryu-sensei?”

She nearly cuts me off in a sharp voice.

“In the event that Ai does not claim a Women’s League title by the time she graduates from junior high school, she will retire from Shogi and begin training to take my place as the owner of the HinaTsuru.”

“And I marry into the Hinatsuru family to support her …… Correct?”

Of course, I remember that. I’ve never forgotten. Ever.

In order to take Ai as my apprentice even after she lost to Ginko Sora 2-dan during the last match of her Practice League entrance test, I got down on my hands and knees and begged Mrs. Hinatsuru not to take Ai back with her.

“Please, give me your daughter!!” Yeah.

Ai’s mother then repeats the conditions of the promise we made.

“You would be able to continue your Shogi career as well as assist at the inn if you were living in Tokyo, correct?”

“In that case, I think you might have jumped the gun a little bit on coming here. Ai will claim a title, I guarantee it.”

It’s only been a year and a half since we made that promise, and she’s already strong enough to compete with the top players in the Women’s League.

I wanted to take my time and train her little by little, but …… rather than slowing down, it feels like Ai grows more and more every single day. At this point, she’s the one giving me ideas on how to play rather than me teaching her what to do ……

“…… There is one more important piece to the equation.”

Never once breaking eye contact with me, the owner of the HinaTsuru brings up something even more surprising.

“Mr. Kuzuryu.”

“Me?”

“No. I’m referring to your brother.”

“Him?”

What can a guy who got hired half a year ago do to inspire that kind of confidence? He’s not just any new hire, either. He nearly failed out of college.

“M- …… Ma’aaaaam ……!”

My brother collapses to the floor, wailing, “I’ll follow you for the rest of my life!!” while grinding his forehead into the floor at her feet. He is that useful?

Well, either way, this means I’ve got the perfect home away from home while working in Tokyo!

Their huge tatami rooms are perfect for Shogi practice sessions and overnight events. Not only will Ai be able to safely commute, she can travel around to different classrooms and play against all the players who live in the area.

–––No matter what she says, I can tell that Mrs. Hinatsuru has the highest hopes for Ai.

The real reason she opened this Tokyo branch is simple.

She’ll never come out and say it, but I knew right from the start.

She loves her daughter so much that she’s willing to build an inn in Tokyo just for her.