Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 16 - Chapter 5.11

  TICKET

An inn that stood in a quiet corner of Tokyo …… had become the epicenter of attention that day.

Passersby could only gawk and wonder what could possibly be taking place inside, and all of them doubted their ears when they heard it was a Shogi event.

Women’s Legend Conferring Ceremony.

The Shogi Association had rented out the entire facility to host some 3,000 people for this event.

An event on this scale was unprecedented for the Shogi world.

Who would’ve guessed that the star of the event was an 11-year-old girl still in her sixth year of elementary school ……?

“There …… Okay! That should do it, right?”

Ai checked to see if her obi sash was tied correctly at the back by looking over her shoulder in the mirror.

It was double folded and much bigger than usual.

As the daughter of the woman who owns the prestigious HinaTsuru Inn, Ai’s skill at wearing traditional Japanese clothing had been instilled to perfection.

“If I remember right, the folds need to be bigger on formal occasions. But they’ll look childish if they’re too big ……”

There was a technique to putting on a kimono, and Ai’s skills had been honed to a higher level during the series of title matches.

However, that was more akin to equipping battle armor. More formal occasions such as this conferring ceremony called for a different, livelier style altogether.

“Mnnngh! Why couldn’t Mom come help me today?!”

She had been told now is the time to be independent during the title matches, but what was the problem with being spoiled a little before her ceremony? Ai pouted, her cheeks puffed out in frustration.

There was no need for hakama trousers today.

Since she wouldn’t be sitting on her ankles either, Ai had tied her obi a little bit tighter than usual.

“I put on a little weight during the title matches, didn’t I ……? Some people get thinner, so why do I have to be the one who gets fat?”

She cursed her own body type because she heard both Ginko and Ai Yashajin had lost weight ……

“Th-This isn’t my fault! It’s because Mom and Daddy’s genes were–––”

“Is now a good time, Ai?” asked her father from outside the door.

“It’s open!”

She answered loudly without taking her eyes off the mirror.

“Hey, Daddy! Why didn’t Mom come to help me put on my kimono …… today ……?”

The final touches on decorations in her hair complete, Ai turned around to see–––

Her mind went blank as soon as it came into view.

“M-Mom ………… is that …………?”

Thinking back on it now, there were signs.

The fact that her mother was wearing Western-style clothing when she came to the first match to help her put on her kimono. The fact that she always looked uncomfortable.

The fact that she hadn’t seen her in person since that day.

How she never said anything to her even after Ai’s consecutive losses ……

“Oh …… I really wasn’t paying attention to anything else, was I ……?”

Ai’s mother–––Akina Hinatsuru’s stomach had a prominent bump.

“…… I didn’t say anything until today so you wouldn’t worry.”

“Is what …… I decided to say we should say.”

Ai’s father, Takashi, hesitantly explains his wife’s place.

“The truth is that I was worried that it would harm the baby if your mother got too stressed, so I stopped her from going to the matches and checking in on you, Ai.”

Ai and Akina still hadn’t made eye contact with each other.

“It seems I only made things worse for both of you.”

Ai didn’t hear the bulk of what Takashi was saying.

“Mom …………”

There was surprise, and some happiness too, of course.

However, Ai’s first emotions–––were guilt and regret.

“…… Can I ask one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“Is this ………… Is this child …… meant to take over the HinaTsuru in my place? Because I kept my promise of getting a Women’s Title–––”

“No, Ai. Not at all.”

Akina refuted the notion right away but in a soft voice. At long last, she had met her daughter’s eyes.

“Just the opposite.”

“Oppo …… site?”

“You discovering Shogi sent you on a path completely different from the one we had planned for you. It’s true that our plan for the future isn’t going to work anymore. The future that we, as your parents, had in mind won’t happen.”

“…………”

“I was so anxious every day after you left home to go to Osaka ……”

Akina reflected on the past two years of upheaval.

“Just when I came to process the fact that you were living with a young man, you started playing more and more important matches against adults despite your age. It wasn’t long before we became involved with the people you met through Shogi ……”

Their connections with the Shogi world had grown deep after hiring Yaichi’s older brother as a full-time employee and hosting one of Ginko and Ai Yashajin’s title matches at the HinaTsuru.

–––What if …… that’s all unwanted pressure for them?

That thought made Ai’s heart churn. Was it truly acceptable for her to continue down this path?

–––If I keep going …… I’ll only be causing them more problems ……

However Ai couldn’t have imagined her mother’s response.

“But you know? It’s been so much fun!”

“Huh ……?”

Ai had been the perfect daughter and an outstanding student until Shogi came into her life.

Never once disobeying her parents, she considered housework to be just a part of life since she was in diapers. She attended every lesson her parents arranged for her without fail and consistently achieved high grades at school.

“A daughter who forges her own path and goes far beyond what her parents ever thought possible is millions of times more appealing than the daughter who only does what she’s told. Realizing that made me want to have another one just like her.”

“We’ve been keeping ourselves way too busy.”

Takashi chimed in as he put a hand on his wife’s shoulder.

“We lived by the mantra that happy customers are our happiness and resigned ourselves to that lifestyle. Which is fine for us, but we tried to do that to you, too ……”

“Dad! I don’t feel like that at all–––”

“We know you don’t. You’ve told us many times that Shogi is just a fun hobby. While we appreciate the thought, now’s not the time to let you be nice for our sake.”

The stubbornness of a hard-working man came through in Takashi’s face as he got to the point.

“After seeing how the Shogi world does things, I’m starting to wonder how important bloodlines actually are. Techniques and mindset get passed down through generations even without being related by blood. We can train up our own apprentice to take over the HinaTsuru when we step down. That’ll be in our customers’ best interests, too.”

“We would never have realized that if you had never started playing Shogi,” said Akina, gently embracing her daughter who had been frozen on her feet since she turned around to greet her parents. “You taught us what true happiness is.”

“…………… My …………”

Large eyes glistening, Ai did her utmost to string words together.

“My learning …… how to play Shogi …… made you happy? I-Is it okay for me …… to believe you ……?”

“Every word,” said Akina gently as she took her daughter’s hand and placed it lightly on her stomach. “What surprises does this little one have in store for us ……? I get excited just thinking about it. I hope they take after their sister.”

“………… M-Mommy …………!”

Tears spilled down Ai’s cheeks.

Then, in the middle of a family hug, she squeezed out these words.

“Daddy, Mommy …… Thank you. Thank you for letting me …… be so selfish ……”

The family of three …… no, four … shared a tighter embrace.

That’s when the little girl said what she’s been wanting to get across for the longest time.

“Thank you. Thank you for …… for being my …… our parents!”

Once she finished redoing her makeup under her eyes, Ai Hinatsuru made her entrance onto the grand stage.

Certificate of Confirmation

Those characters graced a big piece of Japanese-style paper she held high over her head. A stream of countless camera flashes and applause washed over her.

Chairman Seiichi Tsukimitsu, the one who gave her the conferring certificate, stood at her side applauding.

Sasari Oga Women’s 1-dan was right next to him, the black tray that once held the certificate still in her hands.

It was the same scene that she had watched unfold from below the stage when her Master, Yaichi Kuzuryu-Ryuo received his second title.

This time, Ai was standing there.

–––This …… is what Master saw ……

It was surprisingly easy for her to pick out faces in the crowd.

Shogi players had gathered closest to the stage. A whole lineup of familiar faces greeted her eyes as she looked down over them.

Keika, holding back tears as she clapped.

Kousuke Kiyotaki right next to her, bawling his eyes out.

Ayano, pen at the ready as she desperately prepared to immortalize Ai’s moment of glory in writing.

Charlette was right next to her, giddily taking pictures left and right.

Kuruno 7-dan, the director of the Practice League who watched over Ai’s first steps. Oishi 9-dan and his daughter Asuka had closed their bathhouse so they could wish her the best in person. Ai then spotted Jin Natagiri, who was cheering her on with a polite golf clap.

New friends she had made in Tokyo, Tsubasa Gakumeki and Rin Koiji.

Players who had fought against her in the Women’s Legend League, Ryou Tsukiyomizaka and Machi Kugui.

There were also many veteran Women’s League players in the crowd. Ai was now able to comprehend how substantial it was that they were spending what little time they had away from housework and raising their children to come see her.

Rina Shakando and Ayumu had respectfully declined to attend, citing that the presence of the defeated would only sour the mood. Maria was attending in their stead and devouring enough food for both of them.

Ai had never dreamed that so many people would come to her Conferring Ceremony.

But ……

–––Nope, not here. I should’ve figured.

No matter where Ai looked, the three people that held the largest places within her heart didn’t seem to be at the venue.

She wasn’t saddened.

For she already knew …… this wasn’t the place to see their faces once again.

“All right, ladies and gents! It’s time for interviewing☆ Women’s Legend Ai Hinatsuru!” announced Tamayo Rokuroba Women’s 2-dan, who had fought for and claimed the right to be the MC.

Her bright, energetic voice echoed through the venue as she stepped up next to Ai with a microphone in her hand.

“Would you tell everyone what’s next for you? Multiple titles, maybe? Or do you want to be the first champion of the brand new Women’s Placement League?!”

“No. One Women’s Title is enough for me.”

“………… What?”

Tamayo’s voice nearly cracked in surprise.

Murmurs spread through the hall.

Ai paid them no mind and continued.

“A Women’s Title gives me the right to participate in professional league matches. I intend to win those matches as a Women’s League player.”

Become strong.

Become strong and the path will open.

That goal had made Ai strong enough to get this far. Now, Ai declared the conferring certificate in her hand to be a ticket that allowed her to tread a brand new path.

She would kick all the pro players out of her way as she advanced.

Ai Hinatsuru had just declared war on every single player at the event. A cold, competitive aura began emanating from Chairman Seiichi Tsukimitsu beside her. The smiles that looked up at her from beneath the stage before were gone. The professional players were now glaring at her, their eyes as sharp as spears.

“I will win. It doesn’t matter who I play against,” Women’s Legend Ai Hinatsuru declared without a hint of fear.

“Then I will take the Entrance Exam as quickly as the rules allow and become a professional. That’s what’s next for me.”