Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 5 - Chapter 5.2

  TOURYU (BILLOWING DRAGON)

“The main issue at hand is the Citizens Award,” Ms. Oga whispers into my ear as the two of us walk down the hallway leading to the arena.

“Administrators and staff have already gathered at the Prime Minister’s residence to begin preparations for the announcement. Conducting the rematch at a later date would change all the arrangements already set in place for the ceremony. Therefore, there have been many requests for the matter to be settled by this evening.”

“Oh, I get it.” I keep walking and ask her, “So? You’re saying I should lose?”

“Don’t be absurd. One was merely stating facts,” Ms. Oga says with a shrug.

“Personally, one likes men with the mettle to destroy shrewd schemes set in motion by adults.”

“I love you.”

“That is unfortunate. One’s heart already belongs to another.”

That rolls off her tongue right before Ms. Oga disappears.

Was that a message from the chairman? He’s supposed to be neutral as the observer, so is it really okay for him to do this ……? Then again, the whole country is rooting for the Meijin so he might’ve thought stoking my fire a little bit might balance things out. He thinks so far ahead, I can’t keep up.

Whatever the case, I’m fired up.

The evil Dragon King who’ll plunge the country into darkness and despair …… That’s me, huh? Looks like I’ve got a part to play.

I’m the type of anti-hero teenage boys can’t get enough of. Of course I’m raring to go.

Everyone important is waiting for me in the arena once I step inside.

“I’m sorry about the wait,” I say and take a seat in front of the board.

“I shall briefly summarize the Ryuo Title Match Committee’s verdict,” the chairman, and observer for the match, says.

“The previous match’s result shall be handled as a Repetition Draw with the players switching offense and defense for a rematch. Also, while an immediate rematch is a possibility, they would like to take each player’s physical condition into consideration as well. The rematch can be scheduled for later date. Players, I would like to hear your opinions on the matter.” Saying all that in one breath, the blind chairman looks in my direction and says, “Ryuo. What do you suggest?”

“I–––.”

Rather than face the chairman, I turn to look at the Meijin.

“I want to play right now.”

My fatigue is gone thanks to Ai. It’s thanks to Big Sis that I’m wide awake. The Grade Schooler Practice Group stayed up late to watch this match. I’m in peak condition right now.

The Meijin agrees and that was that.

“As both players were out of waiting time at the end of the previous match, one hour shall be granted to each for the rematch,” the chairman declares as the rematch gets started.

“No matter who claims victory, this match will be carved into the annuals of Shogi history. Please make this Shogi worthy of that standing.”

“When you’re ready.”

The chairman’s epic words in my ears, I bow along with the Meijin. All the camera flashes going off right now are making everyone in the room squint.

The first move is mine.

“Now ……”

What to play? I feel like I could do anything right now.

I climbed higher than I’ve ever been during the earlier match, so it felt like looking down over the board from on top of a mountain then …… And I still feel that way.

I can sense how every piece works in tandem with the others.

The board itself looks narrow but feels extremely deep at the same time. Shogi has never seemed so deep before.

–– …… I could fall right in …… 

Time could fly by looking at the opening formation just like this. I’ll lose if I stay at my two-day pace. I needed to change things up.

While peering in to see how deep Shogi goes, I see something completely different …… 

––I’ll play whatever my heart tells me to.

My tiny, straightforward, earnest apprentice appears over the board. I knew exactly what I would play as soon as I saw her pure enthusiasm in my heart.

“Nn ……!”

Fighting spirit roaring, I advance the Pawn in front of my Rook.

An onslaught of camera flashes ensues.

The Meijin had his eyes closed but he opens them to play the same move, sticking out the Pawn in front of his Rook.

More blinding flashes, too many to count.

“…… Now, if may I ask the media to please exit–––.”

Journalists and reporters start getting up when the chairman gave them the signal.

Normally, I’d wait until the last one had filed out.

Except … I’m not stopping. Part of it was that I don’t have much waiting time, but even more than that, there’s an energy surging inside me that won’t let me wait.

“……………!!”

Picking up the Pawn I moved my last turn, I push it one space forward. Almost like I’m unleashing a dragon onto the board through my fingertips.

My strategy of choice–––Double Wing Attack.

My resolve is shining through clear as day.

I’m not afraid of another Repetition Draw. It could take hundreds of matches, but I’ll play as many as I need to finish this. I will never break!

I grind that Pawn into the board just to show how determined I really am.

Seeing that, the Meijin–––.

“……”

Advances his own Pawn one more time with what I’m sure is a smile on his face. That hand of his is light as a feather.

Then, we dive headlong into Shogi that will surely be talked about forever.