Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 4 - Chapter 5.1

  WOMEN’S BATTLE

Ai Yashajin was calm.

Even on the final stage of the preliminary matches, she was confident that she would win.

Ai’s unwavering confidence came from the fact that she had thoroughly studied all of the Mynavi participants since the challenge matches, dissecting each one of their match records and strategies.

That includes the opponent sitting across from her right now.

Tamayo Rokuroba. Ranging Rook Party. Seventy percent of her match records are Fourth File Rook, the remaining thirty percent are Third File Rook. She’s experimented with Open Bishop Path strategies recently but fails to use them properly. Never makes anaguma. Conclusion–––weakling.

The only reason she failed to recognize Tamayo in the waiting room was she simply didn’t remember her face. Shogi style was the only thing that mattered to Ai Yashajin, opponent’s faces were of little importance. For no matter what face they made–––.

“She’s going to slide her Rook.”

“……?!”

“Is that what you’re thinking? I can see it in your eyes,” said Tamayo as she opened the match with a move that Ai never anticipated.

–––First move, 2 Six Pawn.

“……?!”

All of Ai’s research was now worthless.

Because Tamayo Rokuroba, who only plays Ranging Rook in league matches, just declared she would use Static Rook.

“…… Now I see. This is your ace in the hole?”

Despite being unprepared, Ai was calm.

No matter what her opponent had planned, Ai was more than happy to fight Static Rook against Static Rook. She then thrust the Pawn in front of her own Rook forward, barely using an instant of waiting time. Ai Yashajin was calm.

Tamayo’s first move deviated from her research.

But Tamayo Rokuroba’s second move destroyed her tranquility.

–––2 Five Pawn.

Ai’s long black hair billowed out as a wave of anger washed over her on sight.

“…… Lady!”

Double Wing Attack.

Her Master, Ryuo Yaichi Kuzuryu’s specialty.

It was also the same strategy Ai had used with great success in her previous match. Even after seeing that with her own eyes, Tamayo decided to test her with this strategy. There was only one thing this could be: a taunt. Simultaneously, an obvious trap.

Trigger it or avoid it.

Theoretically, Ai has those two options available–––.

“…… As you wish.”

For the girl named Ai Yashajin, the option of turning down someone asking for a fight didn’t exist.

Flicking her black hair out like a bird’s wing, Ai advanced the same Pawn forward and said, “Come. I’ll dance for you.”

“Dance with death, brat.”

Tamayo Rokuroba’s King still in the starting position, a Sitting King, she advanced on Ai’s defenses with all speed–––!!

Keika Kiyotaki was tired.

“Hff …… Hfff …… Haaa––– ……”

She was out of breath just sitting at the board.

Keika tried to steady herself with a series of deep breaths, but it was no use. After having to redo her first match since it ended in a draw, she was now facing the reality of a third consecutive match. Her physical and mental energy were taxed to their limits.

Keika, who had never experienced continued success, had now won six consecutive matches, including the challenge matches. Accumulating that many victories was new territory for her and didn’t feel real. She was already beyond her breaking point.

Now, Sen Kouzui was sitting across from her.

Since Sen had fought her way all the way to the last round, a victory against Keika would elevate her to Women’s League 2-kyu–––make her a full-fledged Women’s League member, not just the licensed trainee she was now.

On the flip side, lose and her dream was over. Keika was also in the same position.

(…… At least one of us will get a step closer, so that’s better than nothing ……)

Normally Keika would have been much more conflicted.

However Keika was tired. She didn’t have the energy.

(Anyway …… I just need to play a good game. Play well enough not to be embarrassed that fans are watching ……)

Keika repeated that in her head like a mantra as she waited for Sen to make the match’s first move.

Two minutes after the starting call—Sen reached for a piece after using an unusually large amount of waiting time for a match that only allowed thirty minutes to begin with. What’s more, it was an unusual move.

–––1st move, 7 Eight Gold.

“Huh ……?!”

Keika’s eyes flew open in disbelief, leaning in for a closer look as soon as her opponent’s hand moved out of the way.

Then, she looked up …… at the expression on Sen’s face.

“…………”

Her turn finished, Sen was still looking down, her mouth nothing but a tense line above her chin.

That move was a challenge, a well-known invitation.

So, you think you can play Ranging Rook? Why not prove it?

It was that kind of move.

She purposefully put herself at a disadvantage in order to prevent her opponent’s best strategy. Sen’s first move was a bet. She made Keika Kiyotaki, a Static Rook party member, play Ranging Rook.

Had this been the first match of the day, chances are Keika would have spent more time debating her options.

However–––Keika was tired. She didn’t have the energy to play mind games.

“Haaaaaa––– ………”

Without realizing it, her ragged breaths had become steady.

“…… Hn!”

Keika slid her Rook without a second thought.

The two women would realize it when the match was over.

Realize, that in that moment, the match had already been decided.