Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 15 - Chapter 5.2

  THE SIMULTANEOUS FINAL MATCHES

The final matches of the Women’s Legend League were scheduled to take place at the same time.

All ten members of the league have gathered at Tokyo’s Shogi Association Building not only to play the five matches that determine the Women’s Legend Title challenger, but also to determine who will be eliminated from the league this season.

In this extremely competitive league where four out of the ten won’t be returning next year, even a title holder was at risk of tasting this agony.

That was particularly true this season because one victory star is all that separates those who have a chance to challenge for the title from those who won’t be returning for another shot next season.

With a record of five wins and three losses, there were three competing to move on to the title match: Machi Kugui, Tamayo Rokuroba and Ai Hinatsuru.

Even Ryou Tsukiyomizaka, with an even record of four and four, was in danger of being eliminated–––.

“Morning, Ryoie.”

Rin Koiji Women’s 4-dan greeted Women’s King Ryou Tsukiyomizaka, her opponent for today’s match, the way she always did when she came into the arena. But Rin continued wiping down the Shogi board, nonetheless.

“Sorry. I’ll be done in a sec.”

“Don’t worry about it …… there’s still plenty of time. Clean it as much as you want.”

She then sat down on the cushion with a hard thud and started fidgeting with her fan, opening and closing it as if already bored.

In actuality, Ryou came into the arena much earlier than usual with the intention of cleaning the board herself.

Rin wiped the surface yet again with a grimace and said, “When I first saw the schedule, never did I think we’d both be playing to stay in the league on the final day. It’s, like, a real shocker.”

“Heh! No idiot thinks they’re gonna drop out before things get started.”

“I wonder?”

“Huh?”

“After seeing you play that first match, I’ve …… been worried about it all the time.”

“……!”

Ryou’s opponent in the opening match.

She–––was Ai Hinatsuru Women’s 1-dan.

Rin worked as the match recorder that day. In the world of Women’s Shogi, it wasn’t uncommon for a Women’s 4-dan to record an elementary school girl’s match due to the limited number of match recorders available.

“You won that Shogi and all, Ryoie, but …… it was Miss Hinatsuru’s play that put me on notice. Sure, I could feel her unbelievable talent shining through, but with the whirlwind blowing in the Women’s Shogi world, I felt embarrassed for us ……”

Rin took the now-glistening Shogi board into her arms.

“So, getting the boot this season was pretty much like a done deal …… Besides, I feel like I’ve been on a downward slide ever since I lost my title. I hate being used to feeling like this, so I’m not giving up until the very end! So with my renewed go-getter attitude, I came in early to wipe down the board. I can’t exactly cling to it once the match starts–––.”

“Hey.”

“Hm?”

Ryou held out one hand and didn’t mince words with her opponent.

“Hand over that cloth. Gimme a turn.”

Ryou Tsukiyomizaka was in danger of losing her place in spite of her four and four record.

Holding the same record was Azami Hanadachi, but she was safe from elimination due to her place at number one in the rankings at the beginning of the season.

However this is no frivolous match.

In fact, it could be said that the key to reaching the title match rested in Azami’s hands.

A victory by her opponent, Tamayo Rokuroba, would trigger a playoff. Thus, their match drew the bulk of the media’s attention.

Plus, early speculation stated that Azami had the edge.

Without the pressure of a chance to challenge for the title or elimination bearing down on her shoulders, Azami was free to play exactly as she desired–––.

Upon seeing Azami for the first time in a long while, an unexpected revelation shocked Tamayo to her very core.

“Umgh!! ………… P-Pardon me ………… Urgggghhh …………!!” 

The woman sitting across the board from her had the complexion of a corpse.

It was enough to make Tamayo completely forget about her own condition.

“B-Big Sister Azami ………… Are you–––?”

“…………… Yes. With a bun in the oven ……”

Tamayo keeled over backward.

“This is my third, so I thought I was used to morning sickness …… Even so, this is the worst it’s ever been ……”

“A-Are you sure you should be here?! I mean, pregnancies don’t stabilize until the second trimester, right?!”

Being an only child, Tamayo had never witnessed her own mother’s experience of morning sickness. This was her first time seeing its full extent in person. Her opponent was in no condition to play Shogi, she thought.

Azami looked at her kind junior and strung these words together.

“Sitting here and playing Shogi won’t affect the baby one little bit. Just …… there may be some moments that will be hard for you to watch during our match. I apologize in advance.”

She pressed her handkerchief to her mouth and lowered her head. Tamayo, still unsure how to react, voiced a more important message.

“Oh, um, no problem. And ………… Congratulations? I can say that, right?”

“Thank you. And yes, of course.”

Her junior’s well-wishes nearly brought a smile to Azami’s lips.

She then neatly folded her handkerchief and placed it in her lap. Sitting up straight, she said with grace and dignity, “Play with all your might. I will be playing in a way that the baby in my tummy can be proud of. So, Tamayo, please play Shogi worthy of someone who may be calling themselves the Women’s Legend Challenger.”

“………… I will!!”

–––Well, how about that? I am lucky.

Tamayo had been convinced that luck had completely abandoned her, when in fact it was stronger than ever.

Though her relationship with the Shogi gods had soured of late, she sent up a quick prayer of gratitude.

It was not because her opponent was suffering from morning sickness, however.

It was to thank them for allowing one of the most important matches in her life to come against the very person who she revered above all others and who had taught her what it meant to be a professional. That was the luck.

The very bottom of the rankings… opened with three consecutive losses.

Now Ai Hinatsuru Women’s 1-dan controlled her own destiny after five consecutive wins and has become the undisputed dark horse of the season.

The only reason Tamayo and Azami’s match was drawing more publicity was that her opponent was just far too strong.

She had momentum. Her Shogi breathed with vitality.

However there were some opponents against whom momentum alone won’t suffice. This match appeared to be over before it began. Ai had been earmarked for a loss in the final ever since the schedule was announced.

That opponent–––was only the second Women’s player to receive an Eternal Queen designation after Women’s Legend Rina Shakando herself. A special player in a league of her own.

“It has been too long, Ai.”

“…… It is nice to see you again. Kugui-sensei.”

Machi spoke casually, as if it were a greeting like any other. Ai, on the other hand, went still as a board.

The two had enough connections to be considered close.

When Ai Yashajin challenged for the Queen title, it was Ai Hinatsuru who worked as the match journalist.

Machi was the person who helped the rookie writer find her footing. Therefore, Ai Hinatsuru referred to Machi as Mato-sensei when she was dressed as a journalist. Additionally, Ai’s friend and fellow player Ayano Sadatou is also Machi Kugui’s younger sister apprentice.

Machi had become a role model, even an older sister of sorts to Ai after hearing all the praise Ayano had for her.

Going against such a person for the first time on this grand stage had taken its toll on Ai’s nerves. The fact that she left for Tokyo without so much as a goodbye only made their reunion more uncomfortable.

“I do hope you are well? Had we not been pitted against one another in such a big match, I would have hoped for the chance to catch up properly over dinner ……”

Machi started a conversation to break the ice. Ai’s nerves gave out. She couldn’t even muster a response.

“Ayano and Charlette have expressed their loneliness time and again ever since your departure. Given the chance, do arrange to see them, will you not?”

“Ah …………”

“And–––.”

With the face of an angel, Machi rammed a blade of words right through the 11-year-old girl’s heart.

“Yaichi has spoken of you every day as well. He has asked me to check up on your well-being.”

“!!”

Ai visibly trembled. That reaction was exactly what Machi had been hoping to see.

–––How will she respond when she learns …… our connection runs deeper?

Every move would undoubtedly put Ai through even more anguish.

As Machi acknowledged that the two would become lifelong rivals, she was bound and determined to crush Ai’s heart beneath her feet.

The thing that had supported that heart, her last bastion.

–––Mistakes of the past will not be repeated. I refuse to make the same missteps I made with Ginko Sora ever again.

Yamashiro Ouka Machi Kugui lined up the pieces on the board with refined grace as she smiled with the wiliness of a fox that has lived for a millennium.

“’Tis our first match. Let it be worthy of being remembered for a lifetime.”

And so, the appointed time arrived.

“When you’re ready!!” 

Ten voices united from across five Shogi boards.

They echoed throughout the arena like an enchanting melody.

For dreams, determination, pride and glory.

Each fought for the ground they refused to yield as the final match of the Women’s Legend League began.