Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 16 - Chapter 3.6

  I’VE RETURNED!

The Fourth Women’s Legend Title Match is going to happen in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. It’s only an hour and a half away from Osaka by bullet train, but this is my first time coming here.

On the other hand, Shakando-sensei has been here at least 20 times.

“People of Kurashiki City, I’ve returned!”

All the Shogi fans who came to the opening night party cheered when Shakando-sensei started her speech that way.

Kurashiki City has a woman for a mayor. She’s been doing that job for over 20 years now, and she’s made it her mission to help women succeed. That’s why the city hosts a Women’s League Title Match.

Shakando-sensei has held the Women’s Legend Title ever since the mayor was first elected. She’s even helped organize amateur tournaments and done instructional matches at the mayor’s request all this time. Even after a hard-fought match, she still leads Shogi classrooms with the same spirit as fighting to protect her title.

Traveling with her from place to place for these title matches has shown me that there’s a reason for everything Sensei does. I can tell that she has devoted her life to advancing the Women’s League ……

That People of Something City, I’ve Returned is the way she opened her speeches at all the opening-night parties. It means that she has been to every single venue that we visited so far.

I’m saying nice to meet you, but Sensei is saying I’m home.

Hakone and Kamakura aren’t the only ones. All of Japan is Shakando-sensei’s home …… And I was to learn the hard way that she meant more than just the Shogi venue the very next day.

“The time has come for the match to begin. Shakando-sensei, the first move is yours.”

The observer signals us with a bow.

I was nervous the first time, but I’m used to it now that it’s my fourth time starting a title match.

Also, I’m the defender for this one. There’s no need to tense up because I can just read and react to what she does.

–––I won’t try to force things like in the third match. This time, I’ll play naturally ……

Rokuroba-sensei’s offhanded play like usual and she won’t stand a chance advice sounded trivial at the time, but now those words are so reassuring.

“I shall.”

Shakando-sensei’s opening move is–––advancing the Pawn in front of her Rook, 2 Six Pawn.

“Whoooaaa!!”

All the photographers who gather around to take a picture of her first move can’t help but get excited.

“…… The Women’s Legend chose a Double Wing Attack?!”

“She won the last match with it, but lost the first two, remember?”

“What courage …… Or maybe she’s already figured out the challenger’s best strategy?”

Just one move.

That one move says so much at the same time. But it’s almost impossible to tell which of those things are right and which are wrong. This kind of pressure never happens in regular one-match tournaments, and it’s almost crushing me already.

Of course, I thought she might make that move.

I have a strategy ready for it.

Even so …… After seeing 2 Six Pawn on the board, I’m not sure if it’s the best one.

“…… Hey, she isn’t playing anything.”

“It’s been five minutes already, so what gives ……?”

Media people are getting restless. I wanted to make my move after I had calmed down a little, but …… the get on with it vibe in the arena pushes my hand toward the board.

I play–––3 Four Pawn to open my Bishop Path.

“She rejected the Double Wing?!”

Cameras flash from every angle.

“Well, well.”

Shakando-sensei sounds surprised as she puts down her teacup. The moment I hear it clink on the saucer at her side, she has already opened her own Bishop Path.

My next move takes a lot of guts.

“……!!”

All my might is in my fingers as I slide my central Pawn forward.

If the media people were excited before, now they’re in a frenzy.

“WHAAAAT?!”

I don’t blame them. After all, no one would have expected me to play this strategy.

This opening …… is for Ranging Rook.

“Gokigen Central Rook, is it? Well, you certainly prepared a surprise for me.”

Sensei really doesn’t look surprised at all. Actually, she’s excited more than anything else and I’m already regretting my decision.

The Eternal Queen plays both Static Rook and Ranging Rook. She’s a perfect all-rounder, just like the Meijin.

No. Lots more Women’s League players play Ranging Rook, so she might have even more experience than the Meijin playing against it.

I don’t know if any player is more of an all-rounder than Shakando-sensei.

–––If she can stop any strategy in its tracks …… then was I better off with doing a Double Wing attack after all ……?

I have to shake off that idea!

“Here!!”

I put my fingers down on my Rook and slide it across the row.

Heat pulses through my veins once I see my Rook in the middle of the board. It brings back so many memories of learning how to play Ranging Rook at the Gokigen Bathhouse with Master.

–––Even if I can’t be as creative with Ranging Rook as Ten-chan …… if I can be worldly in the late-game …!!

I start building up my formation just like Mitsuru Oishi 9-dan would do it.

Shakando-sensei watches the board transform and says with a bit of nostalgia in her voice, “Oh ……? That is some light, feathery piecework for a Static Rook player. Why, I even feel pressure similar to what I felt facing off against the Worldly Maestro in his youth.”

“!!”

“That is to say–––that lad was slightly stronger, even in those days.”

Her saying the name of exactly who I’m trying to imitate makes my blood run cold. Shakando-sensei immediately rushes her right Silver to the front!

“Rapid Attack ……!”

It’s the strategy that is called the perfect counter to Gokigen Central Rook, Rapid Attack 3 Seven Silver.

Of course, I have a plan against it.

But–––

“Uwhaaa?!”

Shakando-sensei’s Silver …… charges right over the 3 Seven line!!

That Silver is attacking even faster than the Rapid Attack! It’s like she’s completely ignoring every trap that I have set up! How is she so confident?!

“Too …… too fast!!”

“Elders are not known for their patience.”

That Silver is storming my defenses like Joan of Arc leading the charge–––!!