Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 14 - Chapter 2.7

  THANK YOU PARTY

The day after Master forbade us to date …

Over 60 people have gathered at a building close to the Kansai Shogi Association to celebrate Ginko and Sota’s promotion to 4-dan.

………… But one of them showing up makes the celebration take on a whole new meaning.

Because the newly retired Hiuma Kagamizu is here, happily smiling–––.

“Ugh …… *hic* …… H-How can you show up here looking all hunky-dory ……?! Go back to the boonies, you weakling!! Waaaaaah ……!!”

Sota, one of the guests of honor, bawls his eyes out as he runs to give Mr. Kagamizu a hug less than two minutes after the party started.

Now the speech slated for the opening event on the program isn’t going to happen any time soon. The icing on the cake is when Ginko, who has been in a horrible mood since our meeting with Master yesterday, says, “Sota outranks me, so if he’s not speaking, I’m not either.”

So the original plan goes up in smoke.

The only person in Japan with a busier schedule than the prime minister right now has to be Naniwa’s Snow White. Considering the organizer, Nanzeki 5-dan (a.k.a. Chuni), had to juggle everyone’s schedules along with his own duties as the Kansai Sub League secretary to get this event on the books, I imagine he’s in a lot of pain right now ……

Well, the real guest of honor is Mr. Kagamizu.

At least 20 of the people here have either come from as far north as Hokkaido or as far south as Okinawa just to see him.

“So you guys are still kicking? Kansai Sub League vets sure are stubborn.”

The ex-Sub League players take their cue from Mr. Kagamizu and return in kind.

“You, Hiuma, are king when it comes to being stubborn.”

“Darn right! I heard ya finally bit the big one, so I had to stop by and check on you!”

Most of them were out of the Sub League before I showed up, so Sota has even less of an idea who these people are.

Mr. Kagamizu hasn’t seen them in over 10 years, but he’s not indulging in the union.

Of course, he’s not letting them see how upset he is about not making it to the pros.

They’re chatting like they had matches in the Player’s Room yesterday and now they’re back to pick up where they left off ……

I bide my time and wait for Mr. Kagamizu to finish chatting with the adults before I walk over to him.

…… Sota is still hanging off his neck, though.

“Mr. Kagamizu. What’s that accessory you’ve got around your neck?”

“Hey, I’m the one who wants to cry, but he’s doing it for me anyway,” I tease with a forced smile and he grimaces right back.

Sota doesn’t get the hint and keeps on whimpering.

Laughing to keep from crying myself, I pour some more oolong tea into Mr. Kagamizu’s glass.

“…… So, you’re going home, then? To Miyazaki.”

“Kiyotaki-sensei tried to convince me to get one of them teachin’ licenses so I could work in his classroom.”

“Master offered you a job ……?”

“Oishi-sensei also told me I could eat ’til I loosen my belt as a certified a boiler master at his bathhouse, too.”

The Worldly Maestro sure has a unique way of making job offers. But what’s that got to do with Shogi?

“Machi said she’d help me become a journalist and Tsukimitsu-sensei rolled out the red carpet for me to join the association. I’m not worth all the strings people are offering to pull. It’s a great feeling, though.”

“But …… You’re not going to stay?”

“I made a promise to myself. I promised that I would always love Shogi.”

Rather than answer directly, Mr. Kagamizu tells me instead.

“If I had a job here in Osaka that directly involved Shogi …… I know I would lose my love for it. That’s why I need some distance, so that I can still love Shogi the rest of my life.”

Hearing that, Sota looked up at him with bright red eyes and tear-drenched cheeks to yell, “Why would you go away from what you love?! You’re contradicting yourself! It’s normal to want to be with what you love forever!”

“Someday, you’ll …… No. I hope the day never comes when the two of you understand what this feels like,” says Mr. Kagamizu with a twinge of sadness as he looks between Sota and I.

I nearly ran away from the Shogi world when I lost my pro debut match to Mr. Natagiri, but I wasn’t forced to retire against my will like Mr. Kagamizu.

Pretending to understand would be easy.

But, as pros …… feigning cheap empathy is something we just can’t do.

“Ai and Keika really wanted to be here today. You meant so much to them.”

Keika is working as a match recorder right now.

Ai Hinatsuru is in Tokyo for a Woman’s Legend League match.

“They made some cookies for you to take on the plane.”

“That was nice of them. If it had to be someone, I’m glad it was those two who couldn’t make it today.”

“Huh?”

Mr. Kagamizu grins and leans close to my ear.

“…… My taste buds aren’t a fan of Ginko’s cooking.”

“…… Doufu,” I say as quietly as possible so there’s no chance she will hear me agree from the other side of the room.

“You’re in for a rough life, then …… having to eat it every day from now on.”

“Huh?! W-Well …………… That’s true. A-ha-ha ……”

Since there’s no point denying it, I just blush a little and nod. After all, Mr. Kagamizu is the one who suggested the sealing move sequence as a way of getting my feelings across in the first place ……

He has always watched out for us and been there with a gentle push when we needed it from the day we first met.

Yet, how did we repay him for his kindness? By continuously taking away the things he holds most dear–––.

“Excuse me.”

Mr. Kagamizu and I turn to face the newcomer, who turns out to be the last person I expected.

Ai Yashajin.

What’s more, she’s dropped her usual high-and-mighty persona for something closer to a content kitten.

Just when I wonder what’s going on …… Ai turns to face Mr. Kagamizu and says, “Hello …… Dear brother Hiuma.”

D-Dear brother?!

“Ah, Ai. I’m glad you could make it …… Your father did so much for me, so I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.”

“Don’t be. I’m certain my father is already very proud of your accomplishments.”

“…… Even though I didn’t become a professional?”

“Neither did my father. Of course, I think he would have been thrilled if you did make it, but ……” Ai looks Mr. Kagamizu right in the eyes and declares, “You stayed true to your own Shogi until your final match in the 3-dan division. Father …… would be even more proud of that, I think.”

“!! …… I see ………… You have a point. Knowing him, he really would ……”

The person who turned Hiuma Kagamizu, a 13-year-old from Miyazaki with no connections in Osaka whatsoever, into a formidable Shogi player was none other than Ai’s father, a highly decorated amateur player in his own right. I remember Mr. Kagamizu telling me how strict Mr. Yashajin was on him in those days.

Having left my family home for Shogi training, I understand where he’s coming from.

Adults tend to go easy on kids once they find out they left home to do training. Tons of players made it to the Sub League only to be forced out after getting spoiled by all that special treatment.

Having someone around to nitpick and be harsh is incredibly important. Without several of them in your social circle, training isn’t going to go anywhere.

“Dear brother Hiuma, if you would like–––,” Ai starts saying something, when suddenly …

“KAGAMIZU-SEEENSEEEIII!!”

A young woman clad in a sharp black suit lunges out from behind Ai and grabs hold of Mr. Kagamizu’s leg. She’s bawling, too.

“Sensei!! Please, don’t go!! DON’T LEAVE MEEEEEEE!!”

Murmur ……!!

“Who’s that looker?!”

“Not Kagamizu’s girlfriend, as far as I know ……”

“Still got game, doesn’t he?”

Other attendees start cheering, but I know the truth.

Mr. Kagamizu has been teaching Akira a few strategies after she begged him for magic to beat the grade schoolers who had become her rivals.

“Ha-ha. Once I get settled in, I promise I’ll play some matches with you online, okay?”

“You better!! I’m holding you to that!! If you’re lying, I have no problem chasing you to the edge of hell and back until you teach me your invincible strategies!!”

Akira was about to force Mr. Kagamizu to give her his home address in Miyazaki when Ai pulled her away. “Stop this at once!” she adds while Sota kicks Akira in the shin and yells, “Go away, donkey breath!”

I don’t want it to end, but the party is wrapping up.

“How about a final word from Mr. Kagamizu before we say goodbye?” Chuni announces to the crowd, and Mr. Kagamizu jumps in surprise.

“Hey, hey. I thought it was the Sub League secretary’s job to end these things on a good note?”

“In that case, I use my power as secretary to assign the last speech to you, Kagamizu 3-dan.”

“…… Yeesh. You know I’m already retired, right?” he complains, but I can tell part of him is happy as he clears his throat. “Let’s see …… First I’d like to say congratulations to Ginko.”

“?! …………… Um …………”

The sudden good wishes hit Ginko like a lightning bolt. She’s frozen in place.

She probably feels guilty about putting the final nail in Mr. Kagamizu’s coffin. She watched everything today from the corner of the room without saying much at all.

Mr. Kagamizu was also very aware of her the whole time.

I saw him glance over at the corner countless times during the party. I’m sure other people noticed as well.

But no one can say a word.

It’s a topic that none of us is allowed to breach.

A realm where only the two who shared the board on the last day of the 3-dan division can be ……

“I’m glad that my last match during my time in the Sub League was against you, Ginko. I’m sure it will be with me …… for the rest of my life.”

Losing a Shogi match hurts.

Losing big matches hurts so bad they show up in your dreams.

But, strangely, losing when you know for certain you did everything in your power …… sometimes feels more like an achievement than a loss.

Walking over to Ginko in the corner, Mr. Kagamizu smiles and says, “That was a great speech you gave at the press conference. I have high hopes for you …… as does everyone else in this room.”

“……………… Thank you …………”

That was like magic.

Just by speaking with Ginko …… Mr. Kagamizu’s words turned her from a complete statue back to who she was a decade ago in the blink of an eye.

Ginko lowers her head a little bit, scrunches up her face and starts crying like a six-year-old ……

“I’m sorry …… H-Hiuma …… I’m so sorry …………!!”

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Ginko.”

The man whose dream ended in failure comforts the girl who apologizes for making her dream come true.

It’s not just the defeated. Victors walk away with scars just as deep.

That’s the Sub League.

Everyone here today …… carries those scars.

“Actually, I owe you an apology. I heard you broke your ribs during our match. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“…………………………”

“You have to take the title for me, remember? Take care of yourself in the meantime.”

“…… I will ………… You too …… H-Hiuma ……!”

Mr. Kagamizu gently pats Ginko on her head.

Just like he did back when they first met.

Like he used to do for her when she was six and me when I was eight after he beat us in a Shogi match.

“Next, Sota. I think it’s time you gave me some space.”

“I don’t wanna!!”

That timing was just too perfect, and the whole place erupts with laughter.

But a chorus of sobs emerges as it dies down. “Hiuma ……”

“Mr. Kagamizu ……!”

Everyone is going to miss him.

“…… Honestly, I’ve debated whether or not to go home …… for weeks.”

The Kansai Sub League’s big brother quietly starts his final address.

“I can’t count the number of times that staying here in Osaka and getting a job related to Shogi sounded like the best option. Actually, I was still thinking about it earlier today.”

The reason he keeps going back and forth.

It’s–––.

“It’s scary … not belonging to the Sub League anymore …… without being involved in the Shogi world, it felt like I was losing what made me me ……”

Failure changes everything.

Stories about former players whose lives went into a tailspin after retiring from the Sub League are not hard to find.

“Getting up in the morning and solving a few Shogi puzzles before heading out the door. Downing a donut and some coffee at that shop just outside of Fukushima Station. Running errands or working as a match recorder on weekdays, or maybe a practice session in the Player’s Room. Then playing Shogi as if my life depended on it twice a month. These past 17 years have played out just like that. I’ve spent more than half my life in that cycle and I thought it would never end. I never seriously considered the possibility that it could, so ………… I was scared.”

His voice wavering, a tear rolls down Mr. Kagamizu’s cheek. Sota tightens his arms around those dignified shoulders.

But–––says Mr. Kagamizu with a smile.

“But I feel so much better after seeing my fellow retired friends today! All of you are exactly as I remember from our days together in the Sub League. Just as straightforward as you always were ……”

Failure changes people.

However, there are some who don’t change. I’m sure that some never ever do.

The former Sub League members here today are living proof.

“That’s the best parting gift I could’ve ever asked for. Thank you for giving me courage!”

That’s when I notice everyone here is crying.

Mr. Kagamizu doesn’t bother wiping the tears off his cheeks as he says one final goodbye with a big smile on his face.

“Let’s stay true to who we are: kids who love playing Shogi. If we can, then …… we’ll meet again someday, just like this.”

No matter how many years, how many decades pass.

It’ll feel like picking up where we left off yesterday.

Those were Mr. Kagamizu’s last words as a member of the Shogi world. They were more than just the promise that we would see him again. They guaranteed it.