Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 14 - Chapter 3.6

  EXCLUSIVE

My life has been a constant loop between Tokyo and Osaka for weeks now.

“Why not rent a cheap apartment? Or you could follow the Ryuo’s example and reserve a room for yourself at the newly established Tokyo HinaTsuru Inn?”

“No. It’s easier for me to relax here.”

That came out a bit sharper than I intended.

So I add lightheartedly, “I was a sickly girl growing up and spent most of my time in a hospital. Maybe that nostalgia has something to do with it.”

I spend more time in this hospital than at my parent’s house these days.

Right now, there’s one other person in my room with me.

“You are spending a great deal of time giving interviews to reporters and attending events when your debut opponent, let alone the date of the match, has yet to be decided. Is this your first time experiencing such an intense schedule, Sora-sensei?”

Yamashiro Ouka Machi Kugui. Penname: Mato.

When she approached me for an interview …… I agreed on one condition.

One on one. In other words, it had to be exclusive.

“I had matches at least once every two weeks while in the Sub League, so going this long without one is new to me.”

Both of us are being as polite as possible as we feel each other out. It’s been a very long time since we spoke for more than a few moments at once.

We met 10 years ago.

But …… since we never spoke outside of work, this is the only way we know how to converse.

“On the other hand, I’ve never been able to reflect on my own Shogi to this extent before.”

“Knowing your opponent’s identity distracts your focus?”

“Yes, which is why I’ve spent this time away from the board using new study methods to improve. A long battle as a professional awaits, and I need to be ready for it.”

“Specifically, what methods have you employed?”

“Mainly Shogi puzzles lately.”

“Puzzles you say?” she repeats questioningly.

I probably would’ve done the same thing not too long ago because I thought Shogi puzzles were pointless.

“An acquaintance of mine gave me a puzzle toward the end of the 3-dan division season. It was constantly in my head …… The very same sequence appeared in the late game of my final match–––.”

“A puzzle sequence materializing in an actual match?! Wh-What an amazing coincidence ……!”

“I think it was just luck. But I also think the reason why I could take advantage of that one in a million chance is because I had gotten stronger. That was the first time I’ve ever felt confident in my abilities ……”

Planet Shogi.

A place that I’ve idolized for as long as I can remember, a far-off entity.

In my eyes, that Shogi puzzle was the ticket that allowed me to visit there for the first time.

Now I’m searching through more puzzles to find the key to becoming one of the Shogi Martians myself.

And, so I don’t forget what that overarching Shogi sense felt like when I was there–––

“…… Another reason is because I’m too busy now to do much more than Shogi puzzles. It’s not as easy as it used to be to go out and find an opponent to practice with.”

I haven’t walked around outside on my own in months.

The thought that I might never be able to again sends a chill down my spine.

“As a member of the media …… please allow me to apologize on behalf of us all.”

“I naturally stick out, so fault partially lies with me …… I guess you could say I’ve given up trying to do anything about it. >But, then again–––.”

I curl my mouth into a sarcastic sneer.

“If a certain someone hadn’t gifted me the nickname Naniwa’s Snow White, I might have lived a more peaceful life thus far.”

“He-he-he …… My apologies.”

Shades of a fox pass over the face of the one who named me.

“Public interest has shifted to how you will make your debut as Sora 4-dan. The possibilities, as of now, include defending your title as Women’s Throne, but–––.”

“Wouldn’t the Ryuo League make more sense? I’m the first female to become a professional, so logically my debut should come with competing for one of the seven professional titles.”

“An excellent point. Considering the time of year, the possibility of just that is fairly high in my opinion.”

“In which case, I would be placed in the lowest bracket. Other players in Class 6 are either newer players like myself or older players who are losing their touch. I expect one of them to be my opponent.”

“Nonprofessionals, such as the Amateur Ryuo Tournament champion, are also a possibility, though slim.”

Called the pinnacle of humanity, amateur and Women’s Shogi players can qualify to compete in the Ryuo League, not just professionals. The way the rules are now, literally anyone can become the Dragon King Ryuo.

…… Well, not that they realistically stand a chance.

“In the event that you do rise through the ranks in the Ryuo League–––.”

Machi takes off her glasses and removes the pin in her hair.

Then she switches off the microphone and …… we have our first conversation that doesn’t involve work, ever.

“You shall finally have your long-awaited match against Ryuo-san, yes? Share the same stage.”

“…… Uh-huh.”

“That speech you gave at the press conference upon becoming 4-dan, it was inspirational. A girl, boldly declaring she wants a professional title for one and all to hear. Those words granted me a great deal of courage ……,” she says with the face of a Shogi player. “But, coming from you, I found them to be rather curious. There was no doubt in my mind that you would say something more along the lines of …… I want to challenge the Ryuo and sit across the board from my younger brother apprentice.”

“!! ………… That’s …………”

It took everything I have to squeeze out an answer.

“………… That’s because the gap has only gotten wider since that night ……”

This is the reason why I wanted the interview to be exclusive.

It’s also why Machi wanted to interview me in the first place.

To–––pick up where we left off that night.

It was last year after the seventh Ryuo Title Match.

Right after Yaichi successfully defended his title against the Meijin, she and I sat down for a short chat.

“What I really want to do with Yaichi is play Shogi.”

I wasn’t lying to her when I said so.

But before telling her that, I also said this:

“I love Yaichi.”

I want to hold his hand and go out on the town. I want to go to the movie theater with him, go to the beach with him and do all sorts of things together. Not as siblings, but as a couple …… That’s what I told her.

“That night, I …… I only said those things because I was talking to you, Machi. Had anyone else asked that question, I would’ve refused to answer. But …… it’s not because I trust you that much, it’s–––.”

“Oh, I already know. Tightening the reins, yes?”

“…………… Uh-huh.”

I repent for that.

Just like the way I used dirty off-the-board tactics to beat her the first time we played ……

“You are beautiful, smart and have very strong Shogi …… Everything that he likes. And I felt that you also have feelings for–––.”

“Why, yes.”

She nods without missing a beat. Those words are deafening.

“But once I became aware that I stood no chance against you, I sealed those feelings within the very deepest corner of my heart, and with a tight lid. Much like an anaguma ……,” says the most feared anaguma formation user in all of Women’s Shogi with a forlorn twinge in her eyes.

“Fear has kept me from venturing forth from a safe location, fear of the pain that might come. Thus I have chosen the path of the bystander. My defeat was certain before I realized it. I have been unable to seize a single chance that has come within reach.”

“Machi ……”

“He-he …… No matter how I excel with the anaguma, it serves no purpose in romance.”

The anaguma’s defense is thick. There was a time when I wholeheartedly believed in that sturdy shield.

But …… after seeing how strong a more direct approach without fear of getting hurt is with my own eyes, I changed my way of thinking.

“B-But, I think …… anaguma is a great strategy for Ranging Rook.”

I awkwardly attempt to change the subject to hide the relief washing over me.

“Software programs don’t seem to think so, but it’s my go-to formation when I need it ……”

“Undeniably. In the clash of human beings, the anaguma is the correct course of action.”

“I hate it, you know. They’re over there in their safe little corner just waiting for me to mess up and turn the tables.”

“Perhaps the tables will be turned if a quarrel between Ryuo-san and yourself passes the point of no return?” Machi says with an impish grin as she glances down at my wrist. “That watch.”

“Huh?”

“It suits you marvelously well. A birthday present, no doubt?”

“………… Heh. I thought it was a bit too perfect for that idiot to come up with on his own ……”

“I do hope you will think more fondly of this gift than the last.”

“…… Yes. I plan on taking it with me to my debut.”

In the past, I would’ve torn this watch off my wrist and thrown it in the trash out of jealousy.

But not now.

I’m glad I had a chance to talk to Machi …… before my debut.

“He put the watch on for me. I’ve kept it on ever since.”

“Never once removing it?”

“Never.”

“……”

Machi had the air of a Shogi player up until that point, but now a journalistic glimmer is shining through. I’ve said too much.

“Ginko. You may be barking up the wrong tree, in a sense. Do you see Sho–––?”

Just then.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Our conversation gets interrupted by someone knocking on my hospital room door. Machi hurriedly fixes her hair and puts her glasses back on.

“Come in.”

“Pardon the interruption,” says Sasari Oga Women’s 1-dan, and she steps inside.

And right behind her, with his hand on her shoulder is–––.

“Chairman? …… Did I miss something on the schedule?”

“This is important, so I wanted to bring it to you in person.”

“…………!!”

My heart leaps so high, I almost choke.

A match notification ……!

“Congratulations, Ginko. It brings me great joy to be able to give one who was once so small her first match notification as a professional Shogi player.”

I’m used to seeing that envelope, but …… This time there’s something different about it. Machi has completely reverted to journalist mode now that she happened to be here to witness a once-in-a-lifetime commemoration and even has her camera ready.

“You have truly …… worked very hard to reach this point.”

The chairman’s voice trembles ever so slightly, which is unusual for him. So is the warm tone.

“……! Chairman Tsukimitsu …… Thank you … very much ……”

I knew that he had always been looking out for me.

But, considering his position, I can count the number of times he’s been openly kind to me like this on the one hand ……

Tears are building. I do everything I can to keep them back as I take the envelope from the chairman’s outstretched hand.

Then he tells me, “I hope you can play to your usual standard.”

“……?”

Something feels off about those words, so I reflexively looked up to his face.

However both of his eyes are clenched tightly closed. I can’t find any sliver of emotion or expression of any kind.

“Sora 4-dan. Use the scissors.”

“…… Thank you.”

I will my facial muscles to relax as I take the scissors from her.

Calm down …… Calm down ……

But, pathetic as it is, my fingers tremble so much, I can’t cut the envelope open no matter how many times I try.

Mato lowers her camera upon seeing that.

“Shall I give you some privacy?”

“No. Please stay.”

I actually want someone here. Even though the one I want to be here can’t be …… I’d like as much company as possible, at least.

Then, once the scissor blades finally cut through the top of the envelope, I reach in and take out a single piece of paper.

The document prepared by the scheduling department has the details for what will be my first match as a professional Shogi player.

One piece of paper, so thin I can almost see through it.

My trembling hands flatten it out.

Ryuo League match.

Location: the Tokyo Shogi Association building.

And, my opponent is–––––– Empress Ika Sainokami.