Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 5 - Chapter 4.5

  CLIMBING DRAGON

My heart is pounding.

My mind is in overdrive.

It’s scary how well I can sense what’s going on around me. Even the small noises outside the room are clear as a bell.

“………… I never knew I could see this much ……”

My own abilities are shooting through the roof. I can tell.

My mental Shogi board has more detail than the one sitting in front of me and the pieces are moving around at the speed of light. I can feel how each of them works together without having to read it. It’s like the whole board is at my fingertips and it’s as intoxicating as a drug.

All my thoughts are melding together.

There are times when you can tell what a strong opponent is thinking just by how they use their waiting time and their body language. All that info gets absorbed and your skills skyrocket for a little while.

It’s that feeling like right after nailing a 100 mile-per-hour fastball in a batting cage. Every pitch from then on looks like a beach ball coming at you.

Each of the Meijin’s moves feels like it’s coming in at 200, 250 mph.

I followed the standards at his pace during Day 1, so I picked up the Meijin’s superhuman sense to always find the best move on the board.

–––Reached divinity.

People often ask me: If you played against the god of Shogi, what handicap do you think you’d need to win?

An all-knowing god would of course know everything there was to know about Shogi.

The perfect move would be made every single time.

Therefore, playing against the always-perfect Meijin might be the same as playing against that god. It’s safe to say he is the closest thing to a god here on earth.

“…… Playing against a god with no handicap? What did I do to deserve this punishment ……?”

The guy sitting across from me doesn’t seem human.

At the same time, he doesn’t have the divine aura that a god or angel would have.

It’s more like a bottomless pit, a black hole sucking everything inside. That sensation.

––– …… He’s not a god. Just a person, like me.

The Meijin has lost before.

Which means I have a chance. Even I have gone up against the impossible and beat opponents when I thought winning was hopeless.

My battle against Mr. Natagiri’s Extreme Rapid Battle clearly comes to mind.

I proved the Meijin’s own conclusion to be wrong that day.

–––If I can do the same thing again …… I’ll win!!

My eyes glued to the board, I ask the match recorder, “How long is this turn?”

“One hour and eight minutes.”

“And altogether?”

“You have used seven hours and seventeen minutes.”

Swish! Fabric rustles as I put my fists down on the tatami mat and lean down over the board to push my brain to work even faster. I pour all my strength and waiting time into the dark abyss that is Shogi to find it!

To find that one god-killing move.

“Gaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

I clench my jaw so tight my teeth start screaming.

–––More! Faster, faster!!

Everything I see starts turning red. Gallons of blood rush into my brain to fuel the acceleration. My heart is beating in my eyes. My inner ears start twinging as the rest of my body heats up in a split second. A blood vessel breaks in my nose at some point and hot blood starts dripping.

The body breaks down when a god’s applying pressure.

–––Almost there ……!! Please, hold out just a little bit longer ……!!

“AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Read.

Read. Read. Read.

Readreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadreadread.

Then, just before my time and strength ran out, right before …… 

“––––––There!!”

I smack my discovery onto the board.

The ultimate move, the one that I pushed beyond my limits for nearly two hours to find. A perfect move that is beyond perfect.

–––Did that do it?!

It feels like it. I look up from the board and wipe away the blood dripping from my nose with the back of my hand.

The Meijin outdoes my reading with one move in no time flat.

“………… Huh?”

I was numb for a second.

My brain registers the shock a few moments later.

“No …… no way ………”

Already way beyond my limit, that shock shatters my spirit.

I threw a 300 mph fastball only to take a 500 mph fastball in the face.

It’s that much of a shock.

––– …………… Is he …… actually …… a god ……? Him, right here ………?

He can’t possibly be human like me.

What’s more, the Meijin hardly ever moves without using any waiting time whatsoever. 

Especially in a big match like this. He always thinks things through to the last possible second, even during one-minute Shogi. Maybe he likes thinking and it just became a habit.

But … he played that move right away.

Following the meaning through to its conclusion …… He’s already read through to the end.

“………… Ahh-ah …………”

I didn’t mean to sigh, but it came out anyway.

My head drops down like my neck snapped. I’m holding it in my hands.

–––If that didn’t do it …… Then nothing will …… 

Even if, by chance, he really has read through all the way to the end, then I’ll have to find a move even better than the last one for any chance to win …… 

But I don’t have the strength or the time to find it …… I’m too far gone …… 

––– …… I’ve lost …… Yeah.

There are some things that can’t be done no matter how hard you try.

That move right there made it all too clear. He’s too good …… 

––– ………… But, I put up a great fight, didn’t I?

I was prepared to lose my title after that absolutely pathetic loss in the third match.

All that was left was to figure out how to go out with a bang …… After my close encounter with the media’s enthusiasm yesterday, I know that that’s what the world wants.

No irony, just a feeling of pure accomplishment.

I’m the lucky one. I got to face a player I’ve always admired and have a front row seat to his grand achievement at the same time.

As a fellow player, this is an honor. Even though I lost, my name will be etched into Shogi history forever.

–––I’ve put on a good show …… I’ve made my contribution to the Shogi world …… 

There is no dinner break on Day 2 of the Ryuo Title Match.

The sun is already down, so now’s a good time to throw in the towel. Surrendering now will let all the evening news stations break the news and give the morning papers time to write their articles.

An historic match.

My last role to fulfill as the defeated–––is to leave behind a beautiful match record.

–––Now …… I might as well give it a fittingly beautiful last act.

I set to work figuring out how to set the scene, then.

No effort goes unrewarded. I proved it, didn’t I?

“Huh?”

I look up thinking that someone spoke to me and glance around the room.

That voice …… I’m sure it …… 

“…………… Keika ……?”

I don’t see her. The only ones in the arena are the Meijin, the match recorder and me.

But I hear that voice again.

You’ve won against opponents with much better rankings and talent before, yes? You saw me do it, didn’t you? Yaichi.

“………Kei …… ka ……”

I know that’s her voice.

Of course, I realize there’s no way she’s in the arena.

Maybe my brain is so tired that I’m hallucinating her.

But …… If Keika were in here with me, I’m sure she’d be cheering me on.

That alone I can believe.

I mean, what Keika did for me–––.

…… Showing me that really intense Shogi …… 

I ball up the hand that was about to set the scene for my surrender.

Seems like a little bit of the strength I thought was gone is still there …… I can still fight.

Deciding not to throw in the towel, I search for my next move–––.

Hah! What good would that do? A move fit for useless trash like you!

I pull my hand away from the board as another voice fills my ears.

I find another move …… And timidly ask it.

––– …… How about this one?

Not too bad, I guess? Better than the first one.

A girl dressed in black, arms crossed and chin pointed high as she jabs me with sarcasm.

But, there should be a better one than that. Put some actual thought into it.

“…………Ai …… Yashajin …………”

She scolds me for trying to go with a knee-jerk reaction.

It’s true I’m very low on time.

But it’s at times like these I need to stay calm and read as thoroughly as I can.

I grab a fistful of fabric right above my knee with my right hand and put my left hand on top of it as I read further and further ahead.

Other than the idea I had, yet another option presents itself.

Two choices …… Two. Which one is right ……?

I hesitate.

Make up your mind already, Yaichi.

A frigid voice, like ice.

But I, and probably only I, can feel the warmth in that voice hiding beneath the surface.

Because I’ve got a stronger bond with her than anyone …… It’s my sister’s voice.

If you don’t win …… I’ll never, ever talk to you again …… 

A bit of loneliness in her eyes, Big Sis shows up wearing my jacket and puffs out her cheeks like a little kid.

I’ve got butterflies in my stomach. But why? We’re siblings, so why’s Big Sis doing that?

……… Not that complicated, is it?

I grimace at my own simplicity. Who would’ve thought that thinking about a girl here and now would give me a second wind?

I don’t have talent like the Meijin does.

I don’t have his ability to make split-second decisions.

I don’t have his inhuman Shogi endurance.

Or his sense of the big picture, not even close.

I’m probably missing something on a personal level.

The difference in experience is hopeless, the difference in ranking even moreso.

As a player, as a person, he’s way ahead of me pretty much everywhere.

I can’t beat him in any category.

The Meijin has every single thing I don’t have.

Everything needed to win at Shogi.

But, I have … 

I’ve thought about my weak spots enough.

Enough with trying to find things I’m better at than others.

Rather than counting my enemies, I should be remembering what the people supporting me have said.

Losing isn’t scary.

It hurts …… It hurts like hell, but it’s not scary.

I can put up with rejection.

But.

I don’t want to reject the people by my side.

I don’t want to betray the ones who believe in me no matter how useless I am.

In that case, my only option is to keep pushing forward.

Even if I can’t believe in my own strength or my own talent.

I’ll fight to the very, very, very end by believing in the people who believe in me. I won’t give up. So what if I dirty the match record? I’ll keep playing the way I think will lead to victory.

That’s––– that’s what it means to try!!

I swing my arm forward and slap a piece onto the board! It felt like punching the me of a few minutes ago who thought getting this far and losing is still an honor.

The Meijin, seeing that …… 

? ……… Was that a smile ………?

I can’t see his mouth because his fan is in the way, but I’m sure he smiled.

Could he tell what I was thinking? Did my sudden change of heart, something like a little kid would do, make him grin? Somehow, it feels like this man can read me like a book.

But, I’m not embarrassed at all.

My fingertips were ice cold, but now–––.

Intense.

There’s a fire burning in my chest.

A fire that no amount of cold words or the harsh winds of reality could ever put out.

It’s strange how a situation you thought was unsalvageable before turns into “it’s not that bad” once that flame starts burning in your heart.

The Meijin considers his options.

Using his remaining waiting time bit by bit, he responds with the best possible move every single time, just like I knew he would.

With my formation almost nonexistent and barely any waiting time, I don’t have much to choose from. It’s all I can do to prevent him from pulling further ahead.

–––Don’t give up ……! There’s a chance as long as I don’t give up ……!!

Then, the very last stage of the late game arrives.

The Meijin is out of time, too. Both of us are playing one-minute Shogi.

“Here ……!!”

I take advantage of my last opportunity to counterattack and advance my King toward enemy territory!

Both of our Kings are lightly defended. That’s the thing about Double Wing Attacks when both players focus on the center: the Kings charge out to face each other in a final clash. The time has come.

“Intense …… Intense ……!!”

It feels like my whole body is on fire.

My nerves and adrenaline have turned my throat into a desert.

My heart’s pounding so hard it’ll break a few ribs at this rate.

My King is mostly on its own, facing the Meijin’s incoming attacks like charging at an enemy stronghold, dodging arrows as they whiz by!

“Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

A dangerous dance where one false step means certain death on the spot.

Slipping past the enemy defenses and exchanging blows with only my reflexes to rely on.

But as someone who likes the Double Wing Attack, I’m used to this kind of fight! If we’re both limited by one-minute Shogi, there should be an opening somewhere!!

However.

Khh ……! So strong!!

I started the dance, but the Meijin gradually takes the lead.

Forget about a wrong step, this Shogi god hasn’t even put a toe in the wrong direction. He’s shooting down bullets with bullets at point-blank range!

“How does a pro in his mid-forties have the reflexes to keep up with a teenager?!”

Another shiver of fear goes down my spine. He’s not human …… 

Nerves, hopelessness and an undying thirst for victory. Thoughts and feelings collide inside my head. I’m so close to my absolute limit I can’t tell which one is which as they mix together in one jumbled mess.

I should be good in the situation. I’ve played tens of thousands of matches just like this.

But …… I can’t see a good move!!

Damn it! Why?! I’m so close …… I’m so damn close!! Just a little more, just a little bit more?! If I don’t push through now, when the hell will I?!

Clutching my knee, I smack my fist against the side of my head a few times like trying to fix a broken TV, hoping that somehow my brain will show me something.

Show me! Show me already!!

This Shogi! This match right here!! I have to win this one no matter what!!

That moment.

The Shogi board disappears from my sight.

Master! Let’s see who can solve it the fastest!!

“………… Ai?”

Things I’ve seen many times before spread out around me.

It’s my room.

Not this arena or my room at the inn, but the one in Osaka.

That shabby old two-bedroom apartment in the Fukushima shopping district.

There, the two of us are laying down on the floor side-by-side. Ai is sprawled out on her stomach next to me, giddily pouring over a flimsy book.

That book–––.

………… Shogi puzzles?

My mind blasts off.

Thoughts start racing through my head like a dam broke somewhere. Shogi boards, the apartment, a torrent of memories flow through.

–––I should know! It should be here somewhere ……!!

I remember.

I know the answer. That key has to be around here someplace. It can’t be too far off. I know for a fact I’ve seen it before!!

I comb through my memories as if looking for that important something I’d lost.

All these memories are so compact that I relive the last few months in a matter of seconds.

The opening party, the shopping district at night, that computer screen lighting up my dark room, Tendou’s streets, the night on the beach–––all go by like watching film in reverse–––.

Until the moment when Ai asked me about one of the Meijin’s more prophetic claims on the plane to Hawaii.

––––––Without Pawn Drop Mate, offense is assured victory.

That’s it!!

Those words provide the spark that launches me all the way to the conclusion.

This.

This has to be the answer.

I had the wrong idea about what those words meant this whole time. But right now, what the Meijin was trying to say …… I understand the puzzle that the god of Shogi posed to humanity.

…… But, really?! Is it really okay ……?! This …… Actually doing this–––.”

The solution I found isn’t just a little unorthodox.

I might lose the second I make that move.

One thing’s for sure, it’ll be talked about for a long time.

Because–––I’d be doing a forbidden move on purpose. That’s pretty much a death wish.

………!!

My finger on the piece, doubt starts creeping back into my mind.

Going through that humiliation again …… It’d be like sticking my finger into my still-wounded heart and carving out an even bigger hole. I don’t know if I can take it.

Only ten seconds left. The match recorder is counting down.

––– …… Should I? Is it really okay?

I might never live this down.

If I make a different move, I might be able to protect the Ryuo title’s honor even if I end up losing it.

But.

…… I’m the kind of guy who’d regret not playing something a lot more than playing it. Don’t you think?

For sure!!

Everyone here supporting me in spirit agrees and all nod at the same time.

That settles it.

Master! I’m right here with you!!

Picking up the piece, my hand feels warmer somehow. It’s like someone’s hand is on top of mine.

As if my young apprentice is guiding me–––I dive into that new sequence headfirst.