Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 4 - Chapter 1.3

  SHOGI JOURNALIST AT WORK

“All right, Ryuo. If you would please add your commentary.”

Time flew by–––it’s already the afternoon, the fourth round is about to begin.

I was summoned to the journalists’ room, separate from the arena, to help analyze my apprentices’ matches.

“As I’m sure you are aware, real-time updates involving popular players are posted on the Internet during the challenge matches. The main two we’ll be covering during the fourth round are Miss Ai Hinatsuru’s and Miss Ai Yashajin’s matches. You will be able to see both of their boards on that tablet, Ryuo. Your input on your apprentices’ playing styles and their individual matches would be greatly appreciated.”

“I see ……”

“Other journalists sitting board-side will relay information through their tablets and the two of us will work together to provide a narrative. Do you have any questions?”

“Well …… I understand that but–––.”

This Shogi journalist who goes by the pen name Mato has covered many of my matches.

The most recent one she did was my match against Mr. Natagiri in the Ken-ou League (that I won with three consecutive gentei aigoma!) but she also covered my match in the Emperor League against Ayumu (that I won after hundreds of moves!).

Shogi journalists mainly write articles for newspapers and Shogi magazines, but they also do real-time updates and blogs for matches like this: what Ms. Mato is doing now.

Which is fine but–––.

“Um, Ms. Mato?”

“What is it?”

“Why …… Why are you in Tokyo? You live in Osaka, right? You didn’t come all the way out here just for a few challenge matches, did you?”

“I enjoy my work,” she says without missing a beat and adjusts her glasses before laying a white cloth over her computer’s keyboard to keep it from making any noise.

With live coverage from the 11th Mynavi Women’s Open Challenge Matches, final round of Block 4, this is Chihiro Hannuki Women’s League 3-dan vs. Ai Hinatsuru (amateur). The victor will proceed to the preliminary match while the other will transfer to the Second Chance Block.

The match will begin at 1:30 p.m. Players will have fifteen minutes of waiting time tracked by their own chess clock, changing to Thirty-Second Shogi once time has expired.

Providing commentary for this match is Yaichi Kuzuryu-ryuo, who also happens to be Ai Hinatsuru’s Master.

Piece flip resulted in 4 Pawns. Hannuki has the first move. (Entered by = Mato)

“Ms. Mato …… How do you type that fast?”

“I have several phrases set up to hotkeys. For example–––.”

“S” → Short pause,   9 Eight Lance. Setting up for an anaguma.

“G” → Golds and Silvers in place, a beautiful anaguma is complete.

“W” → Was too far off, an anaguma won the match.

She certainly has a thing for the anaguma defense ……

“…… Okay. And what kinds of things should I talk about?”

“Since we have two matches going at once, keep an eye on the tablet and please point out important moves. Otherwise, keep talking with me and I will add your comments as they come up.”

“A long chat …… with you, is it?”

“Fun, don’t you think?”

Defending player Hinatsuru (A) is a fourth-grade elementary school student.

A member of the Kansai Practice League, this is her Women’s Tournament debut. With three consecutive victories, she has reached the final round of this Block.

Her victories came against Tomoe Shakushi Women’s 2-dan, Yume Izari Women’s 1-dan and Yae Yuinou Women’s 2-dan. Each a talented player, Hinatsuru (A) didn’t make it this far on luck alone.

Here to comment on the Ryuo’s apprentice’s match is the Ryuo himself.

“Let’s focus on the fast-paced Miss Hinatsuru’s Shogi first.”

“It looked like Side Pawn Capture …… but Ms. Hannuki didn’t take the Pawn. With it still in place on the board, the match is turning into an aigakari Double Wing Attack. Rather than relying on research against an unfamiliar opponent, she opted for a contest of strength with the Double Wing …… which, unfortunately for her, is Ai’s favorite strategy. On defense, I’m sure this is exactly what she wanted.”

“So, does Miss Hinatsuru excel at the Double Wing Attack?”

“She sure does. Ms. Mato, you’ve never seen Ai play before, have you?”

“I have not. Although my younger sister often plays against her in the Practice League.”

“Ai started playing Shogi after seeing me use it in the Ryuo Title Match. It was the only way she knew how to play when she started. I’ve taught her a lot more since then, but it seems that the Double Wing is her favorite. She’s so sensitive to the small details.”

“I see, I see. She’s a Master’s pride and joy.”

The match has changed from Side Pawn Capture to Double Wing. Hannuki’s movements are quick and precise, all according to plan?

Not to be outdone, Miss Hinatsuru is keeping pace. Is she in over her head?

A comment from Kuzuryu-ryuo “I’ve developed Ai so much. So sensitive.”

“…… Wait a sec, Ms. Mato.”

“Something wrong?”

“The way you phrased it makes me sound like a pervert. I didn’t say anything like that.”

“There’s only so much room for comments. I have no choice but to abbreviate to save space.”

“Please fix it.”

“This is real time, so that’s impossible. Please continue with your commentary.”

“…… Ms. Hannuki starts the battle by pushing her third file Pawn forward and slides her Rook to the middle of the board. She’s changed to a Twisting Rook style. However, I think this is a mistake.”

“Is that so? It seems like a perfectly natural move to me ……”

“It would have been better to do a Bishop Exchange rather than move the Rook …… Ahh, see there? Ai did the Bishop Exchange. It may look like doing that on defense is a wasted turn, but Ms. Hannuki doesn’t have any open attack options. Ai is in better shape.”

Hannuki readies to attack using Twisting Rook, but the defending Miss Hinatsuru ignores it and executes a Bishop Exchange. Despite gaining the extra turn, Hannuki has no viable attack options. She holds her head in her hands, thinking.

Kuzuryu-ryuo, “Grade schoolers have better shape.”

“Hey!”

“What is it now?”

“What’s with that tone?! I’m not the one bothering you, you’re the one causing problems for me!! Are you trying to give people the wrong idea, writing things like that?!”

“Haaa …… All right then, what kind of phrasing would satisfy you?”

“Nice and normal, the truth–––.”

“Understood. Then I will type a nice and normal profile for Miss Hinatsuru. Let me think, she started living with you as an apprentice in the spring–––.”

“Hold it!”

“Yes?”

“Hold up, that …… Could you not say …… that she’s a live-in apprentice ……?”

“Why not? Are you trying to hide that fact?”

“I’m not trying to hide it, exactly.”

“Then perhaps are you feeling guilty about something?”

“No, there’s nothing like that.”

“Then what’s the problem with me writing it? Writing that you live with an elementary school girl? In a two-bedroom apartment? That she makes you lunch every day?”

“I’d … prefer you didn’t ……”

“And there’s nothing inappropriate going on, correct?”

“No, not at all. Not a single thing. Why would there be?”

Yes. I’ve got nothing to hide.

Nothing …… But no matter how much I try to explain that, people in Kansai think that I have some kind of Lolita complex just because Ai is a live-in apprentice. Even Big Sis treats me like a criminal.

Rumors seem to be making their way around the Internet but …… But do I really have to declare it once and for all right here and now? I certainly think I don’t.

Now, how do I convince Ms. Mato–––?

“O-Oh, you know how it is! Once stories start circulating about how one of the lady-killers in the Shogi world like me is living with a grade schooler, it’ll be quite a shock to all the young ladies who just started watching Shogi, don’t you think?!”

“…… Very true.”

“No, no, no! I set myself up for a joke so perfectly that you’ll leave me hanging if you don’t drop the punchline! Let me have it, I’m begging you!”

“There’s a break in the action. Let’s change our focus to Miss Yashajin’s match.”

“Ohhh, come on!!”

In Ai Yashajin (amateur) vs. Rei Kayunita 3-dan, Miss Yashajin, on offense, started the match with a Bishop Exchange. The battle is intense.

Kayunita is a skilled player with title match experience. She’s coming off two consecutive victories following being seeded in the first round, but her skill alone makes her worthy of a challenge match seed.

Just like Miss Hinatsuru, Miss Yashajin is a fourth-grade elementary school student and apprentice to Kuzuryu-ryuo. She has won all three of her matches thus far using Bishop Exchange strategies. It’s a normal Bishop Exchange style this time and she is maintaining a lead.

Kuzuryu-ryuo, “I lead at night.”

“I didn’t say that!!”

“I know. Because I haven’t asked yet.”

“Then why did you write that?!”

“Tell me about Ai Yashajin.”

“Ai is …… a clever girl. She’s fiercely independent even though she’s only in grade school and gets better and better without me teaching her much at all. That’s the best kind of apprentice, don’t you think? But enough about her, do something about that comment–––.”

Miss Yashajin has already secured victory.

Trashryu-ryuo, “Grade schoolers are the best!”

“I did not say that!! Shouldn’t you be asking me about the match instead?! That’s the kind of thing the audience wants to read?! And my name!! My name's Kuzuryu, not traaaaaaaash!!”

“Let me be perfectly honest with you. I can analyze matches myself, so I don’t need to ask.”

“Then why do you need me?! You’re more than good enough to do commentary on your own ……”

Shogi journalists need to have a decent level of Shogi skill to do their job. While it’s not a requirement, having a thorough understanding of the game means they can provide more detailed descriptions. So, it’s pretty common for skilled players to become journalists.

As a result, many of them are former Sub League members or had great success as amateurs. Sometimes, they’re stronger than Women’s League players.

Even Ms. Mato here is good enough to hold her ground against average Women’s League members. She should’ve handled all this on her own from the start ……

“Did you call me over here for some other reason ……?”

“I wanted to know more about the Ryuo’s precious apprentices. That and–––.”

“And?”

“What effect these apprentices are having on the Ryuo, yes?”

Returning to Miss Hinatsuru vs. Hannuki, the defensive Miss Hinatsuru has compiled a string of favorable moves to take the lead. Using that sensitivity her Master takes pride in, she is closing in on victory.

Hannuki threatened an attack by placing a Bishop at   8 Five, but Miss Hinatsuru calmly adjusted to shield Hannuki’s target. The opening is already gone.

“Ryuo? What do you make of this sequence?”

“Surprising ……”

“What is?”

“I’ve never seen Ai this determined …… to win.”

Watching her almost machine-like Shogi on the tablet, I’m not sure what to make of my apprentice’s beastly transformation.

Ai has always won with a burst of speed in the late game up until now.

But today, her Shogi is so much different.

She’s cutting off her opponents left and right, completely shutting down their attacks before they can start.

She’s playing Shogi with her eyes on victory the instant the race gets underway.

“Indeed …… I suppose all that’s left is to wait for Ms. Hannuki to surrender and just enjoy the rest of the match.”

“Nah. It’s already over.”

“Huh?”

“Ai can put her in checkmate by placing a Pawn at 7 Seven.”

“Oh, yes!! B-But …… Do you think a grade school student will be able to read that?”

“Ai can. Trust me.”

The next update on my tablet seconds later showed–––   7 Seven Pawn.

That’s when an overwhelming onslaught hits Ms. Hannuki like a tidal wave.

It was like a boxer threw a knockout punch but kept their opponent standing upright with a flurry of haymakers. Ai still had plenty of waiting time, but she didn’t use any of it moving in for the kill. She’s not giving her opponent any time to think. This is rough. Ms. Hannuki can’t even find a good time to throw in the towel or make the right moves to hold out.

Ms. Mato got so caught up in that skillful, blindingly fast assault that she forgot to post any comments. The updates are coming in one after another while she’s watching on the edge of her seat, hardly breathing at all.

Until finally …… the updates stop.

With a long sigh, Ms. Mato starts pressing keys once again.

“Ryuo.”

“Yes?”

“She’s too strong.”

Hannuki has surrendered. The match concluded at 2:05 p.m. Waiting time use finished with Hannuki at 15 minutes, Hinatsuru at 8 (both started with 15).

The fourth-grade student, Miss Hinatsuru is victorious.

She has earned a place in the preliminary match by defeating four Women’s League players in succession in her tournament debut.

A fearsome talent on par with her Master, Yaichi Kuzuryu-ryuo, and her Master’s elder sister apprentice, Ginko Sora-Women’s Queen, has arrived on scene.