Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 4 - Chapter 2

  SENDAGAYA

Mio and Ayano, at the front of the group, start talking the moment we step inside the shrine grounds.

“Whoa! What’s that?! There’s a huge Shogi piece sticking out of the ground?!”

“It’s Hatomori Shrine’s Shogidou hut! There are pictures of it on live Shogi blogs during matches!”

The day after the challenge matches.

Our group met up with Mio, Ayano and Charlette to visit the Shogi Association in Sendagaya, Tokyo.

Being that everyone in the Grade Schooler Practice Group is on summer vacation, we decided to take a Kanto field trip to play Shogi all day at the association’s classroom.

Normally, grade schoolers would go to theme parks or pools on summer break but …… all these girls love Shogi.

Wouldn’t it be fun to go to the Tokyo Association?!

And that pretty much settled it.

Since we were already in Tokyo, today turned out to be the day.

We went to pick up the three girls at Tokyo station, but as soon as we got off at Sendagaya, they started saying, “Are there any professional Senseis around?!” with their heads on a swivel. Visiting Shogi’s holy ground has them pumped up.

…… I’d like to point out that there’s a titleholder walking right behind them. It’s kind of sad that they’ve gotten this used to me.

“Just like Ayano said, Hatomori Shrine and the Shogi Association have been connected at the hip for a long time.”

Feeling very much like a teacher during a field trip, I explain all this to the girls in front of the small, shed-like building called Shogidou.

“Kanto players come here in a big group on New Year’s Day and join the dancers during the Obon holidays.”

“They do?!!”

It’s not just the pros. Many amateurs participate too, of course.

People can only buy special Shogi Empowerment Ema Plates here. Normal ema are wooden plates like a flat pentagon with paintings of horses on them, but these each have a Shogi piece drawn on them instead. People write their wishes on the plates and string them up in trees, but the standard here is to hang them on the building itself.

I buy some for the girls at the shrine’s shop and they start writing.

To have an eight-match winning streak in the Practice League!

I want to have a stronger late game.

Bwe Own Dan.

They were hanging up their plates before I knew it. I’m pretty sure that last one says: Be 1-dan. Charlette has such cute handwriting …… ♡

“What’d you write, Ai?”

“Uwhee?! D-Do I have to …… show you?”

“It doesn’t matter either way. I’ll find it myself later.”

“Ughh …… Master, you meanie ……”

Giving up, Ai Hinatsuru lets me have a look.

For everyone to go to the Mynavi Finals together!! Everyone!!

She practically carved the ink into the plate. That’s my girl.

But …… Was she always this eager to win?

I got a sense of it during the challenge matches, but this desire for victory rather than do her best is something I’d never seen in her Shogi before.

Why the sudden change? Well, it’s natural to want to win it all after a good start in a tournament …… Lost in thought, I lead the girls out of the shrine.

Hatomori Shine behind us, the association is right there.

“You know, Cha? Cha’s never bween to the Twokyo Shogi Assowiasion befwore!!”

“Me too, me too! I’ve only seen pictures!”

“This is my first time as well! The building is gorgeous!”

“It’s the same color as the Kansai Association! Ah! But it’s missing the big letters on the wall.”

“Putting ugly letters on the side of buildings isn’t normal. Only people in Kansai do that.”

“R-Really? I think they’re really cool ……”

Ai Yashajin’s comments are as harsh as ever, but just like when Ai Hinatsuru invited her to do Shogi puzzles back in the train, she restrains herself and ends up coming along, saying, “We might as well see what they can do while we’re here.” It’s so cute how she says one thing but really wants the other. Of course, Akira is with her.

“My Lady! Allow me to photograph you in front of the association! A big smile! Peace! Peace!”

“Akira, you’re making a scene ……”

“It’s no problem. Now come on, everyone. Get in the picture! Peace!”

“Pweace!”

“P-Peace ……”

In the end, Ai Yashajin ended up right in the middle of the Grade Schoolers Practice Group picture.

Her grumbling face between all their smiles actually makes her look even cuter.

I was just like them, giddy with excitement when I came up here for the Elementary Meijin Title Match …… Just as I was enjoying all the memories, “You have work to do today, right Yaichi? The title match coverage.”

“Yeah. I got asked to do some commentary for the Emperor Title Match …… Sorry, Keika. Making you look after the girls by yourself like this.”

“Coverage?”

Ai Hinatsuru looks at me, confused. “Uwhee?” Adorable.

“I’m sure you know the video site Nico Nico, right? They have a streaming service called Nico Live that covers Shogi title matches: first move to the last.”

“Huh?! B-But can’t title matches go on for more than ten hours ……?”

“Of course. But it’s not like they’re only showing the players and the board. Commentators provide analysis of each move and also take questions from the crowd or talk about strategy during slow parts of the match. A lot of planning goes into it.”

“And you’ll be working alongside a Women’s League player, yes?” Keika kindly adds.

“So, Ai, that means you can work with Yaichi for Nico Live once you join the Women’s League too. The harder you practice now, the sooner that day will come.”

“Work …… with Master ……?” Ai softly whispers like she’s dreaming ……

I’m fully aware that that day is coming up fast.

I thought it was much farther down the road until I saw Ai play yesterday ……

“…… But, we’ve still got to celebrate your victories in the challenge matches!”

I put my hand on Ai’s head and say in a cheerful voice to chase away the sudden lonely ache in my chest, “Why don’t we go out for crab once we’re back in Osaka?”

“Crab?!”

Her eyes light up at the mere mention of her favorite food in the world, but she suddenly comes back to herself with an “Ah?!” and shakes her head side to side.

“N- …… No! It’s too soon to celebrate! It wouldn’t be worth it!!”

“Are you sure? But–––.”

Just as I was about to tell her she’s earned a proper reward.

“Everyone–––! Let’s hurry inside!” Ayano, a few steps ahead of the group, is halfway inside the doorway and waving at us. All the girls rush in after her.

“Whoa! The gift shop is huge!!” They’re excited, I can hear it.

“I will go practice hard in the classroom, so please do your best at work, Master.”

With that, Ai gives me a small bow before chasing after the other girls.

She looks older somehow, disappearing down the hallway–––.

But, yeah, the Master definitely feels a little lonely.