Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 16 - Chapter 4.5

  RANK A

The morning after hearing Shakando-sensei’s story in Harajuku, I arrive at the Shogi Association Building in Sendagaya.

“Yo.”

“Ah, good morning, Ryou.”

She’s setting up an analysis board in the Katsura no Ma on the fourth floor when I get inside.

“You’re the first one here? Wow, you’re really psyched up.”

“Meh, I guess? This is my ex’s first match in A League (lol).”

“It’s up to us to root for him …… isn’t it?”

Nobody will show up to the Katsura no Ma today. Younger players have an obvious grudge against Ayumu. Older players hate seeing a Women’s League player’s apprentice getting so close to the Meijin Title Match.

Meanwhile, tons more fans are tuning in than usual.

“Machi upstairs?”

“I think so, yes. She isn’t working as a journalist today, but as part of the broadcast crew. She’ll be on the fifth floor most of the time.”

One of the rooms that was originally for players to spend the night was refurbished into a broadcast booth. That’s where all the computers and equipment are. The Katsura no Ma has a tatami floor, so it’s not suited for leaving that stuff.

“The Kanto Association has the break room on the same floor as the arenas …… I’m still not used to it.”

“What difference does it make?”

“We do our own analysis in the Player’s Room in Osaka, and that’s on a completely different floor from the arenas. We can relax and talk as loud as we want without worrying. But here, the slightest sounds might–––.” I say, taking a look around the room when suddenly.

“……!! ………… Ayumu …………”

One of the players arrives on this very floor.

This is his A League debut, but he’s doing it with absolutely no shame in that white cape of his.

Ayumu is already locked in. Without noticing me, he disappears down the hall and into the special arena.

I haven’t seen my best friend since the day of the proposal.

That aura, it’s overwhelming. I’d say it’s at about the same level as Mr. Oishi and Chairman Tsukimitsu ……

“………… He actually did it. He has A Rank ……”

At the very back of the fourth floor …… only a few meters away from here, there’s only one match taking place today in the special arena.

An A League Placement Match. The first one of the season.

Looking at the league rosters posted on the wall in the Katsura no Ma, I get flashbacks of when Ayumu, Big Sis and I looked at the roster in one of Tokyo’s Shogi classrooms. That list of names in A League.

I thought that those guys were way out of my reach back then.

It’s been seven years.

And now, Ayumu Kannabe is written as one of the only nine people who are allowed into the real A League in the Shogi world.

But …… the spot where his opponent should be listed for today is blank.

The reason for it is that no one knew who he would face at the time the poster was printed.

“…… I gotta say though, this timing is so weird ……”

“I agree. This match is usually scheduled for after the seventh Meijin Title Match–––”

This time, however, it was set up right after the fourth Meijin Title Match, the last one.

The schedule isn’t the only unusual thing, either.

“Huuuh?!”

“S-Sensei, your clothes ……?!”

The fourth floor erupts. We step out of the Katsura no Ma, absentmindedly following the noise coming from the arena.

The other player has just arrived, but …… Ryou and I can’t believe our eyes when we see who it is.

“Those are …… Japanese clothes, right?”

“Y-Yeah ………… but him ……? Wearing that ……!”

A Ranking players who show up to an A League Placement Match in a kimono isn’t all that strange.

But this, it’s unprecedented. At least …… It’s definitely not normal.

His kimono is nothing but wrinkles.

No haori overcoat. Fabric that should have luster is covered in dirt and grime.

The man’s face is in the same shape.

Early stages of an unkempt beard. Hair uncombed.

The man looks like a samurai returning from the front.

The top ranked player of A League and of the Meijin Challenger last season–––Jin Natagiri 8-dan.

Having just had the door slammed in his face by the Meijin, he appears in the special arena doorway and apparently hasn’t changed clothes since that match.

“Well, it’s been a long while, hasn’t it, Ayumu?”

“…… Yes. I apologize for my lack of communication.”

Out of everyone in here, Ayumu is the only one not in shock, even though he’s already sitting at the board.

“Let’s see, we haven’t exchanged pleasantries since the day you declined to do practice sessions with the Meijin and I, yes? It’s amazing we haven’t run into each other in a match since then. Disappointed to be playing me today? Or perhaps …… are you relieved?”

“…………”

Silence is the most eloquent answer here.

I’m sure that Mr. Natagiri is the opponent that Ayumu wanted today.

This is because the title of Meijin will only be worth something to him if he fights a series of matches against the man he refers to as the god to claim it.

Fighting that Meijin–––is the only way to become the real Meijin.

“Let me start by thanking you for agreeing to my request for having our match early.”

Mr. Natagiri opens the piece box a bit rougher than necessary, pulls out the King, slaps it down into his territory …… and says as if narrating a flashback, “That title match was a whole other world. Fighting him in that series, he was a completely different person from any other title matches. That kind of strength is in another dimension ……”

“…………”

“Even after our review session ended, I stayed behind at the inn that hosted the match, replaying all four matches over and over, desperate to hold on to those sweet, sweet moments ……!”

He yells like a man obsessed. He’s fixated on the Meijin title.

“That’s why I want to go back there even a moment sooner! Get back into that world and play Shogi with him so, so much more! I can’t wait …… for the next Meijin Title match, that is!!”

“Save those words–––”

Ayumu glares across the board at Mr. Natagiri, a King pinched between two fingers.

“For after you have defeated me!!”

The match begins.

Offense and defense are decided before Placement Matches start. In other words, you can plan out your strategy in advance …… Except this one is unusual because no one knew who would be playing.

Ayumu has the first move, but what kind of strategy will he choose under these circumstances?

An ambush to nullify his opponent’s research?

Or go with the latest style of Bishop Exchange or Double Wing Attack?

“Haaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh …………!!”

Ayumu Kannabe flings his cape to the side with vigor and constructs a viable fortress on the board.

Ryou and I say it at exactly the same time. The strategy he’s using.

“Yagura!!”

What’s more, he’s combined two Golds and one Silver into the most orthodox Yagura Castle!

After hearing about him from Shakando-sensei, just seeing him make a yagura on this, his first match in A League, is enough to get our blood pumping ……

“…… He’s really doin’ it.”

“Yeah. He’s made up his mind to play yagura no matter who he’s playing against. That’s exactly …… No! Ayumu wouldn’t have it any other way!”

“He who walks the noble path becomes Meijin.”

That’s what Ayumu’s yagura is shouting from the board. That it will fight and win with elegance and beauty. That willpower is even stronger than diamonds …… Intense!!

However.

“Aww ………… Yagura again?”

Mr. Natagiri looks disappointed.

“A Rapid Attack Yagura, I could understand, but …… The rock-hard type you always play won’t accomplish anything in A League. It’s an antique ……”

“Reheat the old to discover the new. I understand that the yagura falls under that category of strategies. No matter how the trends change, however, that beauty is eternal.”

“Ohh, no, no.”

Mr. Natagiri shoots that down right away and then explains the reason. That shocking reason.

“It was so written in Kuzuryu’s Notebook …… Yes?’

“……!!”

“Being best friends with Yaichi means you got a signed copy before release, didn’t you? I’m so jealous! Would you give it to me if I win today?” whispers Mr. Natagiri as he reaches somewhere strange. “I mean, either you haven’t read the book …… or its contents went over your head!”

The move he makes–––shatters the standard!!

“Mgh?!”

Ayumu leans all the way over the board to get a closer look at it… to examine that reckless move.

It goes against common sense, not just expectations.

Even though his defenses are wispy at best, he’s launched a full-scale assault against Ayumu’s castle wall!

Why would he be so rash?

“Kuzuryu’s Notebook, Chapter 2, Part 6: In modern Shogi, software has proven that increasing the mobility of pieces within your own territory carries the same value as promoting a piece in your opponent’s territory. Thus, strategies which impeded the King’s movement such as the yagura are invalid. Your territory is a turret, not a castle.”

The whole paragraph rolls off Mr. Natagiri’s tongue. I’m pretty sure that was loud enough that the whole floor heard him, too.

Ryou is cringing.

“Does he think he’s quoting scripture ……?”

“Maybe he’s a missionary?”

There’s no doubt about it. He’s the one who bought my book at that megastore in Shinjuku!

“But there’s no way …… that Swiss cheese is rated the same as Ayumu’s castle? Seriously?”

Back at our analysis board in the Katsura no Ma, I explain it to Ryou.

“The Bishop and Silvers are balanced in such a way that their ability to move diagonally keeps the King protected. Diagonals are harder to spot than vertical and horizontal lanes. That’s why people tend to overlook them and using software can help you find good moves that were hidden in plain sight.”

Ayumu literally hasn’t budged since he saw Mr. Natagiri’s move.

His eyes glued to the board, Ayumu mutters, “…… You seem to have read Drakin’s book a great deal.”

“Of course, I’ve read it. It was written by the strongest player alive, and by the one and only person to efficiently integrate software into his playing style, the Demon King of the West!”

As the author, I’m over the moon that he likes it so much. Even if the book doesn’t sell, just knowing that the Meijin challenger referenced it so much is enough for me. I’m not just saying that!

“Yaichi continues to stimulate the Meijin and I …… Why, this past Meijin Title Match was a contest to see which of us understood him on a deeper level.”

Th-The Meijin ……!! He liked my book that much?!

“I know that the two of you grew up as fierce rivals, pushing one another to greater heights. I’m also aware that you made it through the 3-dan division and rose through the Placement Leagues faster than him. That includes the pride you take in devising new sequences for that orthodox yagura of yours.”

Ayumu’s mind is racing to figure out his next move, but Mr. Natagiri tacks on even more verbal pressure.

“But you haven’t affected the Meijin or myself in the slightest as of yet.”

“……!!”

“Even just considering that little fact, you don’t have the qualifications to become Meijin—the qualifications to stand on top of an era.”

Influencing others is not easy.

But it’s still much easier than changing yourself because of others.

It would take a lot of courage to completely abandon the Shogi sense you’ve built up your entire life to learn how a young player like me sees the sport. If you fail, you lose everything.

“But …… actually doing it is scary.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. For the longest time, I thought that the Meijin kept his titles for so long by turning his own Shogi sense into books and planting ideas in other players’ heads.”

But there’s one thing about that idea that comes up short.

“That way won’t work unless you’re absolutely confident that you can grow faster than anyone else. Everyone would just study your books and overtake you if you couldn’t, right? That fear ………… Hm? …… Fear?”

“Something wrong, Trash?”

“………… No. I just feel like I’m onto something ……”

Just now, I felt fear.

Before I had my titles …… Before I was ever the one being pursued, I never thought that fear existed. Now, it’s trying to tell me something.

But, before I can figure out exactly what it is–––

“Yaichi, Yaichi, Yachiyaichiyaichi, YAIIIIIIIICHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!”

“Whoa?!”

Machi bursts into the Katsura no Ma, completely forgetting her Mato persona despite the way she’s dressed!

“Wh-What’s wrong? You sound like my apprentice in the late-game ……”

I’m picking up some of the obsessive vibes that Ai gives off.

“Haaaah …… Haaaah …… Or- ………… Orders …………”

“Orders?”

Ryou and I share confused looks.

“Didn’t they just order lunch?”

“Too early to be thinkin’ about dinner, too.”

“Not for food! Book orders!!”

“Books? Books ……………… No way! You don’t mean?!”

“Orders for Kuzuryu’s Notebook are piling up by the second! Current stock can’t hope to handle it! Additional printings!! Mountains of additional printings!!”

“HOOOOOOLY COOOOOOOOOW!!”

I suppose I should expect this much.

Tens of thousands of people are tuning into this match online, and only the hardcore Shogi fans are watching in the middle of the afternoon.

If one of the players happens to recite a memorable phrase and say something like the Meijin loves it, too while I have an advantage on the board, of course fans are going to want the book. What is this, a sales program?

“Thank you, Ayumu ……! Thank you, Mr. Natagiri ……! And thank you, Meijin ……!!”

I get swept up in an intense wave of gratitude when suddenly Machi snatches me by the collar.

“Now is hardly the time to get absorbed in a match of Shogi! The editorial department needs signed copies!”

“Huuuh?! But I need to go to the office to write my signature on certificates–––”

“What luck that you happen to have the necessary tools with you.♡ As for the certification, everyone is after the Meijin’s signature, so what does it matter who signs it?”

After saying something that would really make people working in the public relations department angry, the shrewd beauty of an editor whisks me all the way down to the basement ……

“M-My arm …… My right arm is dead ………… It’ll be days before I can even think about playing Shogi ……”

The 5 p.m. chime echoes through Sendagaya.

Finally I get released from the underground dungeon. In shambles ……

“Way to keep at it, Trash.”

Walking back into the Katsura no Ma, Ryou doesn’t bother looking up from her phone to say hello. She doesn’t budge from her spot sprawled out on the floor, either.

There’s also one other woman in here sitting off in the corner next to a massive suitcase.

“Ah ………… Sorry to disturb you, Kuzuryu-sensei ……”

“Ms. Rokuroba ………… Long time, no see ……”

Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s 2-dan.

A popular Women’s League player who learns Shogi from Mr. Natagiri and lives in his research room.

Right now, in that very same room …… another girl should be there, too.

“Um …………. H-Hey, how’s A-A- …………”

–––How’s Ai?

I can’t get those words to come out and break off eye contact with her.

“…… Has the match progressed?”

“A lot, yeah. But I don’t understand what’s going through the defender’s head.”

Ryou raises one leg from her spot on the floor and uses it to swing herself into a sitting position with a nnhh!

“Enlighten me, oh prophet. What’s up with ol’ Natagiri? Did losing four straight against the Meijin break him?”

“I wouldn’t say he’s broken …… so much as he’s doing the breaking.”

“To himself?”

“Yeah. The Worldly Maestro once told me that Mr. Natagiri used to be a mainstay Static Rook player who only played yagura back in the Sub League. Only after years and years of practice and effort did he become an all-rounder, the Switch Hitter as he’s called today.”

Unfortunately, he could never outdo the Meijin, also an all-rounder.

“That’s why he’s trying to copy something stronger than the Meijin. That being software.”

“Like that computer professor guy?”

“Okito-sensei is definitely the best at incorporating software in their generation, but even he misses things in the late-game. There are limits, after all.”

Taking advantage of that is how I got my second title.

And I put everything I learned in my double title matches against Okito-sensei into words with Kuzuryu’s Notebook.

“My Shogi used to be a balanced style, similar to how software plays. I’m pretty sure it’s because Big Sis used me as a guinea pig whenever she learned a new standard. Trying to figure out defensive sequences that weren’t in the book all the time warped my sense.”

“Dang, Ginko ……”

Yaichi Kuzuryu chose the my style is already like software, so people will come to play like computers route.

Ayumu Kannabe thinks along the lines of perfecting the human way to play and picking the best parts of software. The same is probably true for the Meijin.

As for Jin Natagiri, he subscribes to the play style is a human trait, but I’ll force myself to play like a computer way of thinking.

“I honestly don’t know if Ayumu or I is right.”

Only the Shogi gods know what the sport will become in the future.

“Just …… the path Mr. Natagiri chose is the same as Mr. Okito. Playing a balanced style means you have to constantly read your King’s safety as well as your attacks. Using that style in a long match with lots of waiting time like Placement Matches is the same as running a marathon at a full sprint. It might sound cold of me to say this, since I wrote it in the book, but you’ll lose by instant death in the late-game unless you are extremely confident in your calculation ability. How do you solve that problem ……?”

Ms. Rokuroba, who’d been silently listening up to this point, asks, “………… Does that mean Jin-Jin is behind?”

“There’s no way to say for sure.”

I try to reassure her by revealing some of my best friend’s few weaknesses.

“He has an advantage at this point in the match, and Ayumu can’t play his best at night. He had a massive advantage against my Master when they played in B League 2nd Class but ended up making a mistake in the late-game that cost him the win. And there’s the time I played him in the Crown League two years ago–––”

Memories of that long, long night come back to me as I talk.

The intensity in that girl’s eyes, which pushed me to victory.

“…… Dragging that slugfest of a match late into the night is what allowed me to turn the tables at the last possible moment. So, trust me …… Whoever’s heart holds out the longest is going to win this match.”