Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 15 - Chapter 3.6

  GOAL

“Natagiri-sensei. You have one hour remaining.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

I thank the match recorder and then cast my gaze back to my opponent.

There’s the Meijin …… I suppose I should refer to him as the Monarch in this instance, yes? There’s the Monarch running his hands through his hair as he stares blankly at the board.

Now, in this series of matches, I have made a new discovery about him.

–––When you’re truly backed into a corner …… you make that agonized face, don’t you?

We’ve done research together for upwards of ten years now.

How surprising it is that there are tidbits I still don’t know about him.

On the other hand, this could just be a coincidence.

Because, well, I got swept away when I fought him for the Crown Title four years ago.

“He-he ………… After everything I said to Ai, it turns out I let myself be swallowed up by my opponent’s status ……”

Every move he made terrified me to no end.

I was certain that every single one was the best move.

All it took was seeing a little quiver in his fingers to know he was going to win.

That is, until a computer taught me otherwise. Software rated the infallible god’s Shogi for me.

And I have seen his late-game magic many, many times already.

–––A little girl in grade school can play better than this, you know?

The Monarch looks to be suffering. He can’t seem to sit still, and groans leak from his half-open mouth every few minutes.

What a disgraceful sight.

–––Have no fear …… I’ll make it quick.

“Natagiri-sensei, you have 50 minutes remaining.”

“Yes.”

I reach for my piece stand and pluck one off the top.

Then I bring it down onto the board to mercifully finish off a wounded enemy like warriors did on battlefields of yore.

My blade pierces what I thought it would never reach–––the neck of a god.

“You’ve been knockin’ it out of the park recently, Tamayon! Your YouTube subscribers have shot through the roof and you’re going to as many events as ever!”

“Aha-ha! ☆ Why, thaaaank you!”

The Third Monarch Title Match is being held in Ibaraki Prefecture.

The elementary school girl and I got called in to work the big board and do commentary.

Since we’re doing collab livestreams, customers poured into the venue for a chance to have an instructional match with us. It sure cut into our time to do commentary, though.

“You’ve got a Women’s Legend League match the day after tomorrow, and yet here you are working an event! You’re a real star!”

“Oh, stop. ☆ This is an important part of the job–––.”

“Isn’t that why you dropped two in a row? All those nights messing around on YouTube are catching up to you.”

“…… I guess so! ☆ Aha-ha-ha!”

I smile and keep the conversation going. An empty, dry, forced smile.

The guy talking to me right now is a regular for my instructional matches.

I’d say he’s about amateur 2-dan, and he always challenges me to even matches. He’s getting an instructional match from the elementary school girl at the moment, but that doesn’t stop him from talking to me.

“This little girl still has plenty of time, but now might be the last chance you ever get!! You’ve really got to put your nose to the grindstone! I’m saying this for your own good, Tamayon!”

He’s not trying to be mean or anything.

In his eyes, he’s giving me helpful advice. This is encouragement. This right here.

That’s why I can’t get angry at him. So I smile with a big “Thaaank you! ☆,” to keep his instructional match going and send him home happy. Another customer just like him is waiting to take his place.

My smile must put him in a great mood because he keeps going, even louder than before.

“I have to say though, the crowd is small for one of the Meijin’s title matches. Then again, I suppose people don’t need to show up for Natagiri anyway! He used to be a young, handsome player on the rise, but that mantle goes to players like Ayumu Kannabe or Taishi Shinokubo now. Naniwa’s Snow White running away was a major blow to the Shogi world, don’t you think? If you ask me, she should have to redo the Sub League if one loss was enough to make her run away. But, I get how losing to a Women’s League player would be a heck of a shock–––.”

Snap.

“It’s your move,” says the elementary school girl as dry echoes fade.

The regular leans over the board and says, “I’m in check, huh ……? Ahh, I see what your plan is. But there’s this little expression: inadequate checks are worse than not moving at all. It means that putting your opponent in check before you’re ready is as good as wasting your turn–––.”

“How do you mean? This match is already over.”

“Huh?”

Don’t do it, Shorty ……

“I read it a long time ago. You mean, you can’t tell? It’s only a 19-move sequence. Here, and then here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. See? You’re checkmated! Even a YouTuber can see that easy sequence in a second!!”

“Okay, stop, stop. This conversation is over.”

“Mrghhghh! Mnghhhhh?!!”

The elementary school girl squirms like a big tuna fish while I hold her mouth shut. In the meantime I apologize as best I can to my regular customer.

“Please excuse this little one! ☆ She’s really into Shogi puzzles. And you know kids: if there’s one thing they like to do, it’s show off! She’s only 11, so don’t take it too personally, okay?”

“Um …… Well, i-it is checkmate ……”

The customer stands up with a snakebitten look on his face. Seeing his King be magically warped into checkmate has him too shocked to be mad or surprised.

Now then.

How to deal with this elementary school girl who just insulted her customer.

“Thank you for getting mad for me …… is what you were expecting me to say, is it?!”

“Mghhngghhh! Manghh!!”

“Yes, yes, I know. Your blood is boiling, isn’t it? But you know something? That man loves Shogi. That’s why we can’t do or say anything that might change that.”

“But!!”

She yells after breaking free of my hold.

“But Rokuroba-sensei, you’re really strong! You beat me easily!! He needed to realize that–––.”

“All he’d say is tell me when you have a title. You get it, right? Besides, there are hundreds and hundreds of customers just like him.”

“…… You’re only working today because the office called you …… You only agreed because they pleaded with you, saying they need a well-known Women’s League player to boost attendance no matter what, and you gave up an all-important day to practice for your match so that Natagiri-sensei’s event could bring in more people–––.”

Suddenly.

“That’s the signal: the Monarch has surrendered. The Challenger Natagiri 8-dan has claimed his second victory and is now one win away from claiming his first title!”

An announcement booms over the intercom and, for some reason, I lose my composure.

“A title is a must. Got that? Then finally ……”

“………… Finally?”

Jin-Jin dominated the Third Monarch Title Match.

Both players went to do board analysis because the match ended so early, but …… I didn’t see them because I was on break to rest up for the next event.

“She doesn’t have the right mindset, plain and simple. She doesn’t have the drive to put food on the table with Shogi.”

Instructional matches are done, and I’m in the break room to relax a little before the next event. One of the Women’s players I’m on good terms with and I are chatting over a late lunch.

“She went out of her way to humiliate one of the customers. I don’t care how angry you are, that’s something you just don’t do. You have to be sneaky about it! Like ignoring check paths and tormenting them all the way to the end!”

“Don’t you think you’re, like, expecting a little too much out of her?”

“She’s not some average kid, remember? She’s already in the Women’s League.”

Listening to my rant is Rin Koiji Women’s 4-dan.

Fans adoringly call her Rinrin. She and I go to the same university, so we have more in common than just Shogi. She’s just about the only Women’s League player I can open up to like this.

She’s always been the type everybody loves. She’s even close to that Ryou Tsukiyomizaka, believe it or not.

“You made it to the Women’s League as an elementary school student, so you get what I’m staying, right Rinrin? About how much she doesn’t understand.”

“I …… Well, my father was rather strict.”

From where I’m sitting, Women’s League players can be divided into two groups.

Those who come from strict families and those who were spoiled by everyone.

Rinrin came from the living definition of a strict family. Her father was a dominant force in amateur Shogi, and he forced her to practice until she literally broke down crying. I never saw it myself, but I heard that he chewed her out at the top of his lungs in front of everyone at a big tournament when she was little. Apparently, her next opponent felt so sorry for her that they lost on purpose.

The only reason that the child of someone that dedicated to Shogi didn’t enter the Sub League was because a generational talent by the name of Tsubasa Gakumeki was already there.

When comparing the first elementary school–aged Women’s League player and first female member of the Sub League nicknamed Undying Wing to his own daughter, the overbearing father had this to say: Your measly talent doesn’t stand a chance against that prodigy. Go into the Women’s League.

If that were me, I would’ve quit Shogi altogether.

“If there’s one thing my father always said it was: claiming a title just once will change your life …… Being told I wasn’t good enough hurt quite a lot.” 

“Not breaking under that pressure and claiming the Women’s title is what makes you amazing, Rinrin.”

“It was totally the timing. I’ve been told it’s a fake title because Tsubasa Gakumeki and Ryou Tsukiyomizaka were both in the Sub League.”

“That’s not ……”

“But they’re right,” she says plainly. “I only had it once, but that gave me 3-dan overnight. I built up enough victory stars since then to become 4-dan at my age. I don’t have to live with my parents anymore, and the pressure is, like, finally off. I can play the way I want to play without worrying about winning every time.”

–––That’s the luxury people who’ve claimed a title have. That leeway ……

It’s kind of like the athlete who won a gold medal, retired right away, got a gig in broadcasting and is now living the life.

Rinrin’s bestowing ceremony has become the stuff of legends.

She wore a gorgeous kimono, but never stopped crying once she was up on stage. It wasn’t long before everyone there started bawling along with her. It was a really touching ceremony.

Until a certain point, anyway.

“Would you tell us the meaning behind those tears?” The MC posed the question.

And this was Rinrin’s answer: “Now …… it’s just such a relief that now I get to play Shogi without worrying that my father is going to berate me ……”

Of course, her father was in attendance and became the recipient of lots of awkward stares.

Never once have I wished that my father was that strict. Actually, he’s an awesome dad who’s quite the looker for his age and dotes on me all the time …… Still, I wish someone had taught me sooner.

Taught me that life without ever winning a title is the definition of pain.

Here I am having lunch with Rinrin, but ……

Really, I’m so jealous of her I could die!!

I want a title!! I want to reach the goal!!

If I do, I can be one of those people who everyone loves: like Rinrin!! I’ll be free to play the way I want to play without the pressure ……!!

Rinrin lost her title after only one season and hasn’t really come close to claiming another one since.

–––Then …… what are my chances considering we’re the same age ……?

My university classmates are lining up jobs with big companies one after another. I, on the other hand, have chosen to walk the path of a Women’s League player.

With the status that comes with a title attached to my name, I can stay friends with everyone and still enjoy Shogi.

But I’ll only ever be a run-of-the-mill Women’s League player at this rate …… and I’ll regret my decision someday ……

Jin-Jin is only one win away from a title, and that alone makes me jealous.

I can’t even be happy for someone else’s success …… How miserable is that?

–––Big Sister Azami, too ………… Deep down I envied her like no other ……

Having a child means spending a long time away from Shogi.

What’s worse is that childbearing age and the time period when a player is at her peak overlap.

Yeah, we get maternity leave, but all it does is make it so we don’t have to forfeit matches. Someone else plays them but they don’t earn victory stars and money for us.

–––That’s why, even if they get married …… the number of Women’s players who decide to have children is ……

I think taking the ultimate title of the first Queen played a big part in the Thorn Princess’ decision. Losing her title allowed her to step away from Shogi.

Meanwhile, Women’s Legend Rina Shakando hasn’t gotten married or given birth.

“…………… I wonder if she’s happy? Keeping that title for all these years ……”

“Shakando-sensei? She’s totally had a rough time. I mean, she has pretty much sacrificed her personal life and devoted herself entirely to Shogi and all.”

But …… all the Kanto Women’s League players know that she came oh so close to getting married at one point.

The guy was a widower, a professional player with child of his own. Shakando-sensei seemed enthusiastic about it, but ……

Then there’s the Meijin. He’s maintained titles just like she has, but he’s married and has children of his own. Not to mention all the books he’s written, his Citizen’s Award and all the fame and money that comes with those things.

Shakando-sensei, on the other hand, is alone. What’s the difference?

We Women’s players get paid less per match and have fewer matches to begin with.

Now that even more women are joining the league, we’re getting paid less and less every match. That’s why it’s become necessary to find alternate sources of income to live on.

Working as match recorders, attending events, match commentary, instructional lessons or working with Shogi clubs in big companies to name a few.

Unfortunately, there are only so many jobs within the Shogi world …… Taking one of them means taking money from someone else.

How could anyone ever humiliate a customer during an instructional match if they understood that? Impossible, right?

Which brings me back to my first point.

“Maybe kids from rich families just turn out like that? The elementary school girl is staying with me at the moment, but she’s got that luxurious inn to fall back on in case things go south. She’d have all the freedom in the world there.”

“Those from families with deep pockets do have a certain carefree air about them. Like Machi, for example.”

“Machi Kugui ……”

That name came from so far out of left field, I thought I was hearing things.

“…… She is a bit of a mystery. Comes from a noble family, has her own title, works as a journalist ……”

She’s two years younger than me but has already acquired the status of Eternal Queen for holding the Yamashiro Ouka title so long.

She’s reached so many goals already that most Women’s League players would never reach even if they could redo their lives over and over. There’s a constant aloofness to her, like nothing gets under her skin.

Is it possible that she feels the same pressure and jealousy that I do?

I put on my Tamayon face and head back to the event even though there are still some pent-up feelings I want to get off my chest.

It’s time to sign autographs.

A personalized autograph is ¥3,000. An autographed fan, ¥10,000. As far as work goes, this is as easy as it gets. Get paid and free food, thank you! ☆

“Ah, Rokuroba-sensei! Lots of customers are already waiting!”

“Ah, the life of a popular Women’s League player is so hard.”

The elementary school girl is next to me. The line for her autograph is also snaking all the way across the room …… Well, the organizers have to put the popular players together. Otherwise one is really busy while the others have no customers. It gets awkward, painfully awkward when that happens, so this is easier in a way.

“………… Hm?”

I catch a glimpse of the elementary school girl’s handwriting.

In characters beautiful enough to make me sick, she’s written out customer requests like awakening girl and loli-konichiwa …… Should I be worried?

What draws my eyes even more though is: “! …… Hey, that–––.”

Her personalized stamp: she’s putting it in the upper right of each one.

Mukyoku. Boundless.

As in: there’s no limit to any direction you go.

Basically …… there is no limit to how strong you can become.

It’s a direct, pure desire for strength. An earnest wish for more power and the determination to follow that path until the end of time in order to get it.

Except that the stamp’s red ink is giving me a different message.

The goal doesn’t exist.

I thought everything would be easier if I only had a title.

Fans would get off my case and there would be a clear line between me and other Women’s League players …… Most of all, I thought it would satisfy my pride.

So I visualized what life would be like once I had claimed a title and worked hard to make it happen.

–––Where did that effort get me?

I’m wearing an empty smile and going through the motions, playing lifeless Shogi to attract customers, all while counting up how much money I’m getting from the autographs I’ve signed.

The effort that came from loving Shogi, hating to lose and trying to get strong enough so no one could beat me …… at some point it got replaced with finding a way to make a living while still holding on to Shogi as if my life depended on it.

–––That’s …… not the same thing, is it?

Did I become a Women’s League player for this?

Do the Meijin, Shakando-sensei and Jin-Jin keep on playing Shogi for this?

No, definitely not.

“…………… How about that. I’m the one with the wrong mindset ……”

At some point I must’ve gotten scared of getting serious.

That’s why I take jobs just before my matches. Because, really, if I commit myself 110 percent and still come up short …… there’s no excuse.

That’s how I could pretend to have given it my all even though my effort was going into the wrong place ……

I was the one talking down to her for not having the right mindset, but she’s taking me to school. What right do I have when I can’t even follow my own advice?

“Shorty. Where did you get that stamp?”

“This one here? After talking about it with Master, he gave it to me as a present when I became a Women’s League player.”

That lolicon is actually pretty smart! I should’ve figured the youngest title holder ever would have a good head on his shoulders. He’s not your typical lolicon.

“Give it to me.”

“Whaaa?!”

“What’s the problem? You can just make another one! Oh, here! You can have mine.”

Mine’s a proverb by the way: yukini taete bai-ka uruwashi. It means beauty through hardship or something like that… I think?

“Yours is only two characters. Mine’s five. That’s more than double, you know? That’s a bargain if you ask me.”

“No, it’s not! Why do I have to trade with you in the first place?!”

“There are collectors who go nuts for autographs and fans. Change your stamp or win a title, and they’ll buy even more!”

Once I’ve coerced that stamp out of the elementary school girl, I slap it onto the whole line of autographs and yell for the whole venue to hear.

“You folks are just in time! Today could be the last chance you’ll have to get an autograph from Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s 2-dan! I’ll be writing Women’s Legend next time, and 3-dan after that even if I lose the title!”

“Well said!” 

“Tamayon! I’ll take one!” 

“Put me down for two!!”

Customers push their way over into my line. There’s no going back now!

The customer who had that incident earlier buys both a fan and an autograph from me.

“Whoa!!”

And he notices right away.

“That’s a new stamp! Now this is what I was hoping for!!”

“This?”

“This new attitude! We can’t get behind you if you don’t have that I’ll get stronger even if it kills me mentality!”

I lean over to whisper into the elementary school girl’s ear.

“See? Isn’t he a good person?”

“…………… I don’t think he’s a bad person, no.”

She still doesn’t look convinced but agrees anyway. Sure, I think he could choose his words better.

But the fact that he’s rooting for me makes me happy all the same.

How long has it been since I was genuinely happy to get encouragement from a fan?

“Boundless, boundless for sure. I swore I’d take revenge on that younger sister apprentice of yours. I’ve got a lot of beefing up to do.”

“On Ten-chan?”

“Yes. I said right to that cheeky little runt’s face during the Mynavi Preliminaries: ……I don’t care if it’s 40 years from now, I’ll get stronger and beat you!!☆”

“I think you would still have a difficult time beating Ten-chan 40 years from now, Sensei ……”

“Oh, shut up!!”

Drawing an ink circle on her puffed up cheek, I swear to myself that I will become strong.

And during the eighth round of the Women’s Legend League two days later my losing streak comes to an end.