Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 14 - Chapter 3

  GO TO TROUBLE

“…… Okay! That should be it.”

I call up to the driver’s seat as I finish sliding the last box of stuff into the trunk of a car belonging to the Kansai Shogi Association.

“Everything is packed! We can go anytime.”

“Thank you for your assistance, Ryuo. One’s preparations are complete as well,” says Ms. Oga as she inputs an address into the car navigator.

“Your route to … Kanazawa … will require approximately … four hours. Please drive safely.”

And the car navigator’s electronic voice follows right after.

The Third Crown Match is going to happen tomorrow at a regular city hotel in Kanazawa owned by Tokoku News Group, the main sponsor. That means we have to bring everything. The board and pieces for the match itself from the association in Kansai, the big board for analysis, and even the boards and pieces for instructional matches.

I’ve been going in and out of the building all morning, carrying heavy boxes out to the car while Ai uses her tiny frame to crawl into the trunk and make sure everything fits together like a well-balanced puzzle. I used to do this kind of work all the time when I was in the Sub League …… But I still have a ton of questions.

“I’m in the title match, so why am I doing the grunt work ……? The match recorder usually does this stuff, right?”

“I have been entrusted with ferrying the most valuable pieces safely to the match. Them, along with the seven tools of my trade.”

Machi, who pulled strings to attend this match as the recorder this time, gestures to the extraordinarily expensive pieces that are only allowed to be used for title matches as well as the container of items (that used to hold seaweed) she needs to do her job.

Record paper, the sealing move paper, an envelope, pen case, glue stick, tablet, spare battery …… She even has a stopwatch ready just in case. Okay, I admit she has a lot of stuff to carry.

“Then at least get one of the older members of the Sub League out here to help with–––.”

I stop myself in midsentence.

The most experienced member of the Sub League, Mr. Kagamizu, moved back to his home town, Miyazaki. Word is he’s going to take over the family business …… The Kansai Shogi Association feels weird without him around.

Just as that thought crosses my mind, Ai jumps out of the trunk saying, “Tadaaa!” like doing a magic trick.

“I am so-so-so happy to get to work with you, Master!”

It’s adorable how she’s so excited to be coming that she had to have the extra “so’s” in there.

“…… And I’m glad to have you along, Ai.”

It reminds me of the Ryuo Title Match last year.

I was in rough shape after losing three consecutive matches, and so scared of losing again that I nearly messed up bad enough to lose everything else …… But my bond with Ai brought me back from the brink and helped me go on to win four straight to protect my title.

I lost the last Crown Title Match without being able to do much of anything, but I have the feeling that I’ll be able to harness the same strength that I did back then if Ai and I laugh together all the way there ……!

My little goddess of luck comes up to me holding a basket.

“Master, Master! I made sandwiches for everybody!”

“Ohh! One heard that you awoke early this morning. So, it was to make these,” says Ms. Oga with a smile.

“A nutritious snack that can be eaten single handed is quite helpful for long road trips like this.”

“I see! That way, the driver can eat without stopping the car! I didn’t realize you had read so far into it ……”

My soon-to-be 11-year-old apprentice affectionately rubs her head against my arm.

“Did I do good? Did I?”

“Yes, you did great.”

“Meeeow♡”

I give her a few pats on the head and she makes a noise like a kitten. Despite all she’s grown, she’s still young at heart. Adorable♡

Now then! Time to hit the road!!

“Ryuo-san. The navigator seat is yours.”

“Really? Are you sure that’s okay, Machi?”

“As your title outranks mine, my permission is not necessary.”

“Sweet! See, I’ll be going to get my driver’s license as soon as the Crown and Ryuo title matches are finished! I really wanted a chance to learn a few things from Ms. Oga during this trip!”

I’m ecstatic, but Ai is pouting.

“Hmph! I wanted to sit next to you in the back seat, Master!”

“I shall accompany you, Ai. Do not forget to securely fasten your seatbelt.”

I climb into the front seat and do just that. Now there’s a bit of a lull while everyone gets settled, I have a chance to ask about the other thing that has been bothering me since I got here this morning.

“By the way, Ms. Oga, why are the chairman and the others taking a train? It would’ve been much cheaper to rent a bus and drive everyone up all at once.”

“One made that very suggestion, but it seems they all suffer from car sickness. Quite disappointing after one devoted many hours to acquiring a license to drive large vehicles…… Speaking of which, one has driven the chairman on one occasion in the past. Though he said something curious upon our arrival.”

“Oh? What did he say?”

“That it was his first experience feeling fortunate to be blind.”

That’s a red flag.

“Actually, I think Ai and I will take the train after all–––.”

VROOOOM!! SCREEEEEEEEE––––––CH!

“DAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”

The car suddenly launches out of the parking lot with tires blazing!

The stench of burning rubber fills the car as panic takes over.

“Lemme out! I …… I have to make it to Kanazawa alive! Mr. Okito is waiting for me!!”

“We are en route as we speak! Be quiet, else one cannot focus on the road!!”

“UWHAAA! The buildings are going by so fast!”

“Be at ease, Ai. …… So long as passengers in the back seat have fastened their seatbelts, their survival rate is more than double those sitting in the front ……”

“You tricked me into sitting up here, did you?! Change seats with me, now!!”

I reach back and grab Machi’s arm, but …

“Stay still!! You are being a distraction!!”

Sounding and looking angrier than I ever thought Ms. Oga was capable of, she reaches over with her left hand and slams me back into the seat. Owww ……!

“A-After this match …… I’m going to study up and get my license A.S.A.P. ……”

“Master!! Please don’t make any predictions!!”

It would be another eight hours before we reached Kanazawa.

How in the world did it take twice as long as it was supposed to? The whole ride felt like one continuous chase scene out of an action movie ……

“I’m glad you’ve made it. Is everyone accounted for?”

Chairman Tsukimitsu, who arrived a long time ago, comes out of the hotel to greet us.

“…… I was afraid someone would be lost along the way, so I’m glad that fortune was on your side.”

He isn’t joking.

There’s also something that I have to get off my chest, so I say, “Chairman.”

“What is it, Ryuo?”

“Nothing scares me anymore ……”

“Is that so?”

After seeing certain death so many times, the thought of losing doesn’t scare me at all. Perhaps because my spirit died at some point on the way here.

That empty state of mind hadn’t gone away by the time the Third Crown Match started following day, and I got a win on defense.

A local newspaper ran the following headline soon after: Enlightened Challenger Claims Victory.