Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 3 - Chapter Ep

  EPILOGUE

“I’m home.”

“Uh-huh ……”

My father was reading the newspaper in our tatami room when I walked in the front door, almost like he was there on purpose.

It’s bizarre enough that he’s reading the morning paper in the evening. It’s the same one he had in his hands when I left earlier today, but it’s even stranger how restless he is.

He must know what happened at the Practice League today.

There was a time when it bothered me if he acted like this.

But today–––.

“Father. No …… Master.”

I sit down on the mat, on my ankles in perfect posture, and address him that way.

The last time I did this was …… maybe the day I quit back when I was twelve.

I called him Master for the first time nineteen years ago.

It was right here in this room and I was sitting exactly the same way.

I look my Master in the eyes and start talking. “I’m sure you already know, but I was unable to erase the B from my record today.”

“Uh-huh ……”

“I remember that I said, If I can’t erase it, I will quit the Practice League this morning before I left. I also remember that you objected to me joining the Practice League, but that you gave me the freedom to make my own decisions while silently watching out for me at the same time …”

Once the first words were out, if felt like the rest wouldn’t stop. So, I will myself to pause, collect my thoughts and continue.

“A long time ago …… you told me to decide if I wanted to continue or quit. That it had to be my decision.”

“Uh-huh ……”

“I, I want to continue playing Shogi.”

I came right out and said exactly how I feel.

“There was a letter inside a notebook I wrote when I was ten. It was in the pages.”

“……?”

Seeing that he had no idea what I was talking about, I hold out the letter that I kept with me during today’s matches.

Dad takes it from me, unfolds it and starts reading it to himself–––.

“……!”

His eyes stop moving, fixed on one spot on the page, right on the spot where this was written as clear as day: Now that I’m studying Shogi, I get to spend more time with Master. That makes me happy. That’s why I want to join the Women’s League. My dream is to become a Women’s League player and work side-by-side with Master.

“………”

Dad trembles ever so slightly, my letter clutched in his hands.

“I want to continue playing. My chances of becoming a Women’s League player are slim …… Even if I fail, I want a career involving Shogi. Working as a classroom instructor, on staff at the association, becoming a Shogi journalist …… I’d even be happy working at the association’s gift shop part time. I want to keep playing to make my dream come true.”

“……”

“This time …… this time I’m completely committed. I know that I’m a talentless, spineless excuse for an apprentice but ……”

I might not be able to fulfill an apprentice’s role as well as Yaichi or Ginko.

But, I’m certain the day will come when I can express my gratitude by making my dream come true … express my gratitude to the man who always supported me … to the man who introduced me to Shogi, the game I love.

So–––.

“Should I be unable to join the Women’s League …… may I have your permission to always call you Master?”

“Of ……”

Dad looks right back at me, his face all scrunched up.

“Of course, ya can ……!” Master was nice enough to say, while shedding a stream of tears for his useless apprentice.

I couldn’t help but cry right along with him. I’m almost 26, but I bawled like a ten year old, wailing at the top of my lungs.

I’ll never forget … forget this day, the day I got one step closer to my dream.

A week has passed since those Practice League matches.

“W- …… Wel … come ……!”

Asuka greets a string of customers along with me as they file into the bathhouse one after another. 

Master Kiyotaki, Big Sis and Keika are already upstairs getting the Shogi boards ready while Ai Hinatsuru and Mr. Oishi have been prepping the boilers since this morning for battle on the first floor.

For today, at the Gokigen Bathhouse in Kyoubashi, the Kiyotaki Shogi family rented out the whole place to host a Shogi competition.

It’s Ai Yashajin’s Induction Ceremony and Celebratory Tournament.

Ai’s grandfather was so happy that we asked him to help, he provided all sorts of prizes for us.

“Oh, wow! I want that PS4!”

“I would like to win that hot spring tour package for my parents!”

“And Cha. Cha wants to bwathe with Masta!”

“C-Charlette! That’s a no-no?!”

The Grade Schooler Practice Group members are all back to their usual selves …… Nah, after getting through all that had happened, they’re closer than ever.

Everyone couldn’t join in since it was such short notice, but lots of Kansai Shogi pros and Women’s League members showed up to participate.

Chairman Tsukimitsu dropped in to say hello with his secretary Sasari Oga guiding him by the hand. He also lectured Mr. Oishi about “acting like an association director for once and helping out.” 

The Maestro shot me an angry glare and ignored him.

“Just what is all this noise?!”

Someone tugs at my shirt from behind, the star of today’s event.

“Oh. What you think, Ai? Can you feel our Shogi family’s love?”

“Huuh? Would you not use the word love please? It’s making me uncomfortable. I could have you sued for sexual harassment.”

“All these people came here for you, so at least act like you’re happy.”

“Humph! This whole thing is just a pain …”

Ai voices her discontent, flicking her hair backwards and acting annoyed.

“Wasn’t this just supposed to be our Shogi family? What’s with all these people? I feel like I’m on display. It’s obnoxious!”

“Didn’t I tell you? Everyone gets together when there’s a Shogi event in Kansai ……”

“You look exhausted, organizing the silly thing ……”

Despite all of her complaints, Ai is worried about me. Such a nice girl.

But, she too got drawn into the Shogi tournament by the other grade schoolers. Since her faithful bodyguard Akira wants to play in it as well, no one does anything to help her. Of course, I’m not helping her either.

I was worried the tournament wouldn’t go all that well because it was thrown together at the last minute, but everyone seems to be having a good time.

“Well done, Yaichi.”

“Keika ……”

Keika, who helped Big Sis sort out the details …… looks like a lot of weight has been taken off her shoulders.

Standing next to me, the two of us look out over the tournament in full swing. Then Keika says, “Can I tell you something? I was going to quit the Practice League.”

“……!”

“But I decided not to.”

“D- …… Don’t scare me like that …”

“I’ll be sticking around for a while, big brother,” she jokingly adds with a short bow. “It’ll be a lot more difficult for me to be promoted to C-1 in the Practice League now but …… I’ve still got a chance or two to become a Women’s League player. I don’t care if it isn’t pretty, but I’ll stand my ground to the very end. Stubborn and muddy if I have to, yes?”

“I may not have the right to say this because I’m training your rivals but–––,” I say as strongly as I can, “you’ll make it, for sure. I know you can, Keika. I …… the Ryuo guarantees it.”

“…… Really?”

“Really. Of course.”

“So, you’ll take responsibility if I don’t get in?”

“Responsibility? Sure … If that’s something I can do.”

“In that case, if I don’t become a Women’s League member, I think I’ll take the Ryuo as my husband.”

Say what? …… Holy!

“O-Of course!! I’ll take full responsibility!! I’d be glad to!!”

My player instincts are sending up fireworks.

Now’s the time!

Make the move!

Going red in the face, I pour my heart and soul into a full-on confession of love.

“I …… I love how you always try your best, Keika ……!”

“…… I can’t say this in front of Ginko, but–––,” she lowers her voice and leans in close to whisper in my ear, hot breath and all, “I love you too, Yaichi ……”

“PWFF?!”

For real?! So, this is true love?!

Everyone we know is already here, it would be so easy to announce our engagement right now … My train of thought is already that far ahead but her next words blew it right off the tracks. 

“But I’m sorry, Yaichi. You’re in second place.”

“Come again?! W-Well … then who’s in first?!”

“Number one is my first love.”

“F- …… First love?!”

I’ve never heard anything about this! Talk about a shock to the system! 

“Yes. We’ve been together since we were little, always loved one another. There was a time when we couldn’t stand each other and separated for a while but …… it turns out we were meant to be together.”

“…………!!”

Red flames of jealousy are burning full blast.

I never knew Keika felt this way about anyone … Where is he?! Lemme at him!! I’ll destroy him in front of the entire Kansai Shogi world!!

I was dead set on it but … 

“It’s not just mine, but Ginko’s and both of the Ai’s as well …… And I think your number one too, Yaichi? The same first love for everyone in this room, and no matter how much we think we hate it, we always end up together. Something special.”

“What …?”

“You see, it’s–––.”

Keika smiles like an innocent child.

While I’m getting totally caught up in it, she looks at me and says what that something special is.

“It’s …… Shogi!”