Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 5 - Chapter 5.6

  BRAND NEW WAY

I hear a rumbling of some kind.

It’s getting louder and louder, loud enough to make the building shake. Is that thunder, an earthquake ……? I thought it might be that same noise I heard in Hawaii, but all of my theories turn out to be wrong.

Because … it was the media people stampeding this way.

“Please don’t push! Enter slowly, one at a time!!” the match recorder yells as he tries to contain the onslaught, but that’s not going to happen.

Blinding lights flash over my eyes.

It’s all their cameras going off. They’re taking so many pictures that it’s just one continuous blast of light.

–––The light that’s been pointed at the Meijin all this time …… 

That thought flutters through my head as the questions start coming.

“Ryuo! How do you feel right now?!”

“This being your first victory over the Meijin, did you think you could win?!”

“When did you know the match was yours?!”

Normally, reporters working for the newspapers and magazines sponsoring the event get to ask the winner questions first.

But right now, there are so many reporters here who’ve never covered Shogi before rushing up to me like a pack of hyenas that the idea of waiting their turn doesn’t occur to them.

I answer in a dry and airy voice.

“……… Winning hasn’t sunk in for me yet.”

That’s the honest truth.

I have to win another three matches in a row to defend my title. Three matches against this superhuman opponent.

“I finally got one. That just means I can keep fighting,” I say to end the interview and then a wall of microphones shift over to the Meijin as if waiting for that exact moment.

Even though he’s clearly exhausted, the Meijin starts calmly going over the important points during this match and goes on to talk about his plans for the fifth match.

But … that’s not the information the reporters are after.

“Did the 100th title season and the Eternal Septuple Title being so close put more pressure on you?!”

“There are reports that the government is preparing for your Citizens Award Ceremony. Will the next match be the one?!”

The Meijin’s ever-calm face transforms once that question was asked …… And he counters with sharp anger in his voice.

This is what he said in a surprisingly harsh, commanding tone.

“Kuzuryu-Ryuo is the best Shogi player in the world right now. My best might not be enough to win.”

So all I can do is focus on the match in front of me–––the Meijin ends the interview on that note.

…… Tears of happiness leak out of my eyes.

Just hearing that feels like I’ve got an extra big piece on my side.

I duck my head and speak in short sentences to hide my wet eyes and shaky voice as the two of us do a review session. The Meijin is absolutely giddy despite what happened during the interview as he and I analyze how things could’ve turned out differently in a few places on the board.

–––This person …… really, really loves Shogi …… 

And for some reason, that makes me really happy.

We might never run out of things to talk about in this review session.

But, Mrs. Hinatsuru was waiting for a good moment and steps inside.

“The hour is late, but a meal has been prepared for you in another room. Please make your way there when you’re ready–––.”

We, the players, wanted to keep doing the review session, but the staff and media people have to be exhausted by now. Keeping them in here wouldn’t be right.

The Meijin looks genuinely disappointed but gathers up all the pieces on his side of the board and pushes them into the center.

I opened the piece box and take out the bag before making stacks of two and putting them neatly back into the box.

–––Thanks for sticking with me for so long, I say inside my head as we exchange bows once all the pieces are put away.

The Meijin leaves the room and all the media people and staff shuffle their way out after him.

I …… can’t stand up.

At the same time, I can’t let other people see me this dead tired.

“There is no need to rush. You may arrive at your own pace.”

The chairman must’ve sensed my condition as he follows the match recorder out of the arena.

“The star of the party is supposed to arrive late, after all.”

Leaving behind a smug comment that fits him perfectly, the chairman closes the sliding door behind him.

“…………”

Left alone in the room called Garyouhousu no Ma, I sit in front of the board like the match is still going on and blankly stare at the ceiling.

–––I …… actually won?

I still can’t believe I beat the Meijin. Even looking back on it now, I think it was more lucky fingers than skill that put me over the top.

…… But ………… 

This victory here makes me believe I’m on the right path.

No effort goes unrewarded …… Right.

Those might just be pretty words. Plenty of effort goes unrewarded all the time. No matter how long you hold out, a loss is a loss. Coming back from the brink is a lot rarer.

But––––––You won’t get anything unless you fight. Unless you keep on fighting.

Hmm ……!

I force myself to my feet. My muscles are still soup at this point, so it was all sheer will.

Fighting tooth and nail to get the sliding door open, I leave the arena.

“Haaa ………… Haaa …………”

My body feels like lead, but I make my way down the hallway with my hand on the wall for support.

The elevator is, what, fifty feet away? It might as well be all the way to the moon. My sweat-soaked kimono is so heavy it feels like I’m wearing a boat over my shoulders …… 

“Agh ……?!”

One of my wooden sandals slips off my foot and I trip on the spot.

Too exhausted to react, I hit the floor face first before I can put my arms out to catch my fall. My glasses go flying, clattering away.

“Gah ……! A-cough ……!! ……… Haaa …… Haa ……”

The battle is not over. I can’t let anyone see me like this.

–––If I don’t get up right now ……!

But, the harder I try, the heavier my body feels and my head is throbbing so bad it feels like it’s going to burst open at any second. I could pass out if I’m not careful.

–––Maybe I’m dehydrated? There’s no time for a restroom break during one-minute Shogi, and I didn’t drink any water …… 

That thought came to mind as I fade in and out of consciousness.

Then.

“Um.”

Someone’s speaking to me.

When I heard it …… I thought I was dreaming. That beating the Meijin was all just a dream and the match was still going …… 

Because, I mean, I heard that voice the whole time during the match …… cheering me on, offering support. A girl’s voice.

But the speaker is kneeling on the floor in front of my face-planted body and smoothly says, “Have some water.”

I lift my head up toward the cup and she puts her warm hand on my cheek, tilts the cup into my mouth and helps me drink.

Just like on that day.

Cold water seeps through my whole body–––.

“Ahh ……”

Suddenly, my headache and dizziness are gone. Like magic.

“…… Thanks,” I say as she looks at me with a teasing grin.

I’m sure this girl has watched me closer than anyone. Thought about me …… Thought about only me and believed that I would win.

That’s why she was waiting for me with a cup of water right here.

That day–––It’s just like the first time the two of us met.

I’d completely forgotten about when she showed up at my apartment, but …… Now, I remember everything.

A memory that only the two of us have. A treasure we share.

That’s why I say.

The same thing I said in this spot, to the very same person.

“I’ll do whatever you want as a way to say thank you.”

“You will?!” the girl says, her eyes lighting up with happiness as she makes her tried-and-true request. “Okay, then–––.”

Ai Hinatsuru and I …… We exchange the promise.

The promise that started it all.

“Will you …… Please teach me how to play Shogi?!”

“I’d be glad to.”

It’s the strongest vow in the world, so strong that nothing could break it.

Crazy for devoting our lives to a simple board game, but the most exciting vow anyone could ever make.

I climb back to my feet and start walking again.

I take my apprentice’s small hand at my side.

“Now, let’s go play Shogi.”

Even if that journey is a never-ending road of pain and suffering–––

The two of us will make the most beautiful match records together.