Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 16 - Chapter 1.6

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LUNCH BREAK

“………… Phew ……”

I come back to my room to eat lunch and only just now realize how stiff I was in the arena.

Breathing hurts.

It feels like a cage in there. I unconsciously picked up on every little sound, from Shakando-sensei’s breathing to every soft rustle of fabric.

Obviously, I was trying too hard to look tough, and I’m seeing stars. I don’t have to look in the mirror now that my eyes are bloodshot from all the excitement.

“H-Huuuh? I can’t …… grab them?!”

The obi band cords tying my sleeves back around my tummy keep slipping through my fingers no matter how hard I try to loosen them.

I give up on it and sit down in the chair with my sleeves still tied.

Just being in a chair feels so much better ……

“I thought I was used to wearing kimonos, but …… I had no idea that wearing one during a match would make me tense up so much ……”

Ten-chan changed from her kimono into western clothes in the middle of one of her title matches, and now I understand why that was a good move on a different level.

I’m okay for now.

My muscles are still in great shape, and I’m full of fighting spirit. So much so that sequences are playing out in my head nonstop.

“But …… I don’t know how long I can keep this up. ………… Too hot ……”

Every part of me feels like it’s on fire. And it’s my head that’s right in the middle of it. My brain is powering forward, reading deep into sequences without me telling it to.

My lunch came with a cold damp napkin. I put it over my eyes and let the chill pass over me. Ah, I needed this ……

“………… What should I do about lunch?”

The problem is …… This is a really fancy boxed lunch.

Whether to eat the food on the table or not is a really important decision.

Eating during a match is usually a no-brainer.

But–––

“If both of us use all our waiting time, the match won’t end until around 5 o’clock this evening. But if that move works …… It’ll be over as soon as we get back. Then, would it be better not to eat?”

There’s a sequence I’m trying to set up. If I get it just right, the match is mine ……

Shakando-sensei probably hasn’t noticed yet.

–––Then again ……… what if it doesn’t work and the match drags on?

Then I’d definitely run out of energy.

I didn’t know until recently, but my stamina is horrible.

“I have a little endurance now since I’ve been joining Natagiri-sensei and Rokuroba-sensei on their morning runs, but …… I can’t focus when I’m hungry …… Ahhh …… What should I do ……?”

Eating makes it hard to concentrate for a little while. The formations don’t play out as cleanly in my head. If I’m going to try to win right away, I’d better skip lunch.

If only I could get some advice.

I wish I had someone to talk to. They wouldn’t have to say anything, just listen to me get all these things off my chest. Just nodding along would be enough!

“That way …… I could just focus on Shogi ……!!”

I’ve never faced a problem like this before, and I’m a mess trying to figure it out.

This isolation. I never realized just how alone players are during title matches. It’s like being locked out of the outside world.

“Master …… This is what he was feeling during those matches ……”

So, so far away.

I always watched from right by his side, but it turns out I didn’t understand a thing. The weight of these problems, the loneliness.

“There’s so much I should’ve asked him. There’s still so much I wanted to ask him ……!”

Regrets don’t start until you can’t do something anymore.

It’s the same as Shogi. I always mess up at the same place. Something always convinces me to go in a different direction — I have to be as direct as possible ……

Just when I started hating myself for never learning, from the next room, “Wooooow! Wook at dis lwunch!”

“It looks right out of a fairy tale! The perk of being a journalist is being served the same food as the players!”

“Ayanyo, Ayanyo! Eat!”

“N-Not yet, Charlette! You have to take pictures first!”

Everything was happening so fast last night that I didn’t even notice Ayano and Charlette are staying in the room next door.

–––Maybe I’ll go say hi? They’re right there ……

I don’t think it would break the rules.

If I chat with them for a little bit and eat my lunch with them, I’m sure I could relax.

–––Maybe it would be better for me to completely forget about Shogi and take a break?

Letting go of that vision of victory just a few moves away, I’m on the verge of choosing a longer match as I grab my lunch and start getting out of my chair.

Then, just before I step out into the hallway.

“No lunch has been prepared for you, Sensei. I’ll call one of the staff to–––”

I hear it.

“It’s okay. No one was expecting me, and the staff won’t be able to ignore it if they find out a title holder has showed up unannounced, right? Could you keep this a secret, please?”

Uwhaaa?!

“M- ………… Master ……?”

I drop my lunch on the floor in shock.

“!!”

I press my ear to the wall, almost hugging it ……

“Breaks during title matches are short enough already. Go on, you two better eat up!”

That’s his voice.

I know it! I know it’s him ……!

–––He really came!!

I thought there was a chance.

But I also didn’t think he would say anything even if he did come. I’ve given up on seeing him or even hearing his voice.

Except now, just like this.

“Master ……”

He’s on the other side of the wall, but right next to me.

The very person I wanted to talk to ……!

“…… Master …… What do you think I should do about lunch ……? I think I’ll skip it so I can focus and end the match quickly. There’s a sequence I’ve been preparing since the start …… Do you think that’s okay, Master ……?”

My upper body is pressed up against the wall as I keep talking.

That’s all it took to make all the pressure go away.

“………… Thank you so much, Master ……”

I whispered with my cheek pressed up against the wall.

I don’t need lunch anymore. My heart is so full that I don’t think anything will fit in my stomach.

“Okay! I’ll go for it!!”

I take a moment to readjust the obi band I was trying to loosen earlier and psych myself up. I’ll end this match and take the victory right now.

“It’s so nice to know that Ayano and Charlette are enjoying the title match! I was worried because I couldn’t do anything for …… them?”

It sounds like they’re enjoying themselves on the other side of the wall.

And …… They start saying some things I can’t just pretend I didn’t hear.

“Masta, yew can hab Cha’s lwunch!”

“Kuzuryu-sensei, help yourself to whatever you wish! Please tell me if there is a type of meat or piece you want to taste!”