Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 6 - Chapter 1.3

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PEOPLE OF KANSAI

Once the First Move Ceremony finished up on the fifth floor, it was time to go to the New Year’s party on the fourth.

My Master and Zaou-sensei had downed several rounds by the time I got there. To be blunt, Master Kiyotaki is plastered.

“What say ya, Kousuke? Had enough, eh?!”

“Nah, nahhh …… Op-p-p-pen da nex oooooooooowwhhhhhhh!”

There’s my Master, spewing all over the floor.

“Sad, ‘at. Just ‘ad to drink Seiichi’s rounds, too, didn’ ya?”

Even at eighty, Zaou-sensei hadn’t had his fill. Now he’s moved on to sake, downing it like shots whenever his cup gets filled.

“That’s the Don of Naniwa for you …… Drinking my fifty-something-year-old Master under the table ……”

“G-Grandpa-sensei ……!”

My Master falls face first onto the floor and Ai rushes out to help him. Keika, sighing to herself, follows her.

“………… That’s the head of our Shogi family ……,” says Ai Yashajin with a cold look on her face. Although she orders Akira to pitch in. How nice of her.

Since the leaders and mainstays of the Kansai area are already beyond tipsy themselves, all the New Year’s party formalities are going out the window.

So, it falls to underage players like myself who can’t drink alcohol to talk with the media people.

The one drawing a lot of attention at the moment is Naniwa’s Snow White.

“Sora–dual title! You’ve been assigned to serve as an examiner for tomorrow’s Sub League 3-dan admission exam. Are you feeling any pressure?!”

“The examinee, Shouji Karako Amateur 3-dan, was once a member of the Sub League himself who advanced all the way to 3-dan but was expelled due to his age, correct?! What are your chances?!”

“Miss Sora, one more victory and you will be promoted to 3-dan yourself! Will we see the first woman in history to achieve that rank tomorrow?!”

“A message for your fans across the country, Snow White!”

Big Sis systematically works around the circle of journalists, saying: “yes,” “no” and “I will play the best I can” in quick succession. She’s a natural at this ……

The first female to achieve 3-dan is historic as it is and reaching that rank at fifteen years old means her chances of turning pro are pretty high.

The first female pro in Shogi history–––Ginko Sora 4-dan on the scene.

If that happens, she’ll get more press than either the Meijin or I did as junior high school pros.

Because, I mean, junior high school students making it to the pros isn’t all that impressive anymore–––.

“Yaichi, happy new year.”

“Oh, Sota. Same to you.”

A grade school boy says hello with a big smile. Those legs sticking out of his shorts are so thin it’s almost distracting.

“People mistake me for a girl all the time when I dress normally.”

And there’s a good reason for it. That baby face of his looks almost feminine.

This boy, who could pull off the beautiful young girl look on the same level as my apprentices if he ever decided to wear a skirt, often works my matches as the match recorder.

I haven’t seen him much outside of the association since Ai moved in with me, but he used to stay overnight at my apartment all the time. We’d play Shogi until the sun came up.

“Yaichi, you’re like a real big brother.”

“It’d be so much fun to live with you, Yaichi.”

“I love …… your Shogi …… Yaichi.”

Just thinking about it brings back so many memories. Talk about a cute protégé …… But he’s gone beyond what I can call cute in the Shogi world.

“Kunugi 2-dan! Do you have a moment?!”

“You have an opportunity to become the first ever professional Shogi player in elementary school in history this year. Can you do it?!”

“Would you please stand next to Sora–dual title for a few pictures?!”

A group of media people spot Sota and swoop in.

“…… Yaichi, sorry. I want to stay and chat more but ……”

“Yeah. Go do your thing.”

I send him off with an understanding smile. He puts on his interview face and goes to talk to them. Cameras surround him in the blink of an eye.

Either he’s got nerves of steel or he’s used to this much attention.

Almost as if taking his place, Ai Hinatsuru shows up with a plate full of food in her arms alongside Ai Yashajin with just a drink in her hand. They must be finished taking care of the drunks.

“Master? Who is that boy ……?”

“Sota Kunugi 2-dan. He’s eleven, so probably one grade above the two of you.”

“And already 2-dan in the Sub League?! W-What a monster ……”

Even the arrogant Lady Ai Yashajin calls him a monster.

That’s just how extraordinarily talented he is, reaching Sub League 2-dan as a fifth-grader.

Both of the Ai’s possess extraordinary talent as far as the Women’s League is concerned. Maybe the best ever.

But take away the difference between men and women …… And they’re still good, but not extraordinary.

Of course, Ai Hinatsuru’s late game abilities and Ai Yashajin’s visualization skills would be viable weapons in the Sub League. However, there are monsters lurking in there with talent that goes way beyond theirs.

Those Sub League members’ abilities are in no way inferior to the players who made it through to the pros.

In that case, why?

Why do people who have enough skill and talent to be pro players not make it that far?

The reason roles off my tongue.

“…… The Shogi gods.”

“Fwhee? Gods ……?”

Ai Hinatsuru tilts her head with a confused look in her eyes, but Ai Yashajin looks annoyed.

Just as I start to explain–––.

“What’s this? Are you talking about the Shogi gods leaving me out to dry?” a man dressed in a suit says in a cheerful voice.

I respond with the same enthusiasm. “Actually, I would say the Shogi gods really like you, Mr. Kagamizu. Otherwise you’d have been gone a long time ago.”

“Hahaha. That’s still not the easiest thing to hear.”

Hiuma Kagamizu 3-dan.

He’s the oldest Sub League member in both Kanto and Kansai at twenty-nine.

The rules say that the age limit for Sub League members is twenty-six, but there is a condition where someone could stay until they’re thirty: a winning extension.

That’s how Mr. Kagamizu has managed to stay in the Sub League this long. The fact that I can say the Shogi gods love him shows what good friends we are and that there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll be a pro someday.

I introduce him to my apprentices.

“This is Ai Hinatsuru and Ai Yashajin, both are my apprentices and now members of the Women’s League. They’ll probably be working with you at some point, so please show them the ropes.”

“N-Nice to meet you!”

“…… Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Ai Hinatsuru is so nervous she’s shaking in her shoes. Meanwhile Ai Yashajin keeps her introduction cut and dried with a quick nod.

“The pleasure is mine, Senseis.”

Mr. Kagamizu stands at attention before giving them a deep bow from the waist.

The fact that they’re grade schoolers doesn’t matter. He has no choice but to call Women’s League members Sensei in public. That’s his standing as a Sub League member.

“Mr. Kagamizu helped me out more than anyone when I joined the Sub League. He taught me everything from how to write match records to making tea and all about the association rules. Of course, Shogi too,” I say to my two apprentices, still stunned to be called Sensei by a grown man. “Women’s League members often work alongside Sub League members as match recorders for league matches. Both of you, take whatever he says to heart, understand?”

“You learned Shogi? From him? This man here?”

Ai Yashajin glances back and forth between the two of us.

“That I did. He was already 3-dan when I joined, so why wouldn’t I?”

“Although, you passed me up in no time at all,” he says, sounding humble. But to be honest, there’s not much difference between the two of us when it comes to ability and skill.

There’s a newcomer’s tournament that Sub League members and new pros can participate in, and Mr. Kagamizu has won the whole thing before. I joined the tournament once, but got completely destroyed in the first round ……

A Sub League member winning the newcomer’s tournament is unheard of. It’s also humiliating for the pros who were involved.

In other words, Mr. Kagamizu has what it takes to survive as a Shogi pro.

But, even so …… He can’t get out of the Sub League.

Shogi strength is everything in this world, but some other force being at work is the only way to explain what happens in the Sub League.

“By the way, Yaichi. I got a hold of the thing you wanted.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah. A friend of a friend happened to have saved a copy.” Glancing at my apprentices, Mr. Kagamizu drops his voice and says, “I gave a digital copy to Miss Kugui already but …… Actually, I haven’t seen her around. Have you?”

“Oh, her? Her family is actual nobility, so apparently she’s off at a shrine for a big ceremony today.”

I pull out my smartphone and show him.

Imperial Palace now~.

Hard as it was to believe, I’d gotten a message from her with a picture attached to prove it. There was Yamashiro Ouka Machi Kugui dressed in a full kimono and standing right in front of a big shrine with a sly, foxy grin on her face.

“I tell you, that girl …… She’s cute, but scary at the same time.”

“For sure. I can never tell what she’s thinking ……”

“You’d better watch your back, okay?”

“Come again? About what?”

Mr. Kagamizu reassuringly pats me on the shoulder even as I give him a confused stare. He then leaves the room to go get some more beer.

Sub League members like Mr. Kagamizu are always there to help the association staff prepare for events like the First Move Ceremony and parties like this one. He’s a natural born leader with a good heart who anyone can count on for help.

I’m always going to him for one thing or another–––.

“…… It’s because he’s so friendly that he spends so much time helping other people …… He has less time to focus on Shogi because of it and falls behind other Sub League members who don’t help out as much. That’s what’s holding him back ……”

If there are gods, he’s one of the people I want them to make a pro.

The problem is that the Shogi gods get jealous very easily and try to get back at the people who spend time on other things. That’s why idiots like me who only think about Shogi get put on a fast track. The better someone is as a person, the more they suffer in the Shogi world.

In that case …… How do I want my two apprentices to turn out?

Not just as Women’s League players.

But as people ……

“Um …… Master? What data was that man talking about?” Ai Hinatsuru asks me as she tugs on my sleeve. A surprisingly strong tug, I might add.

“Him? Nah, it’s nothing that the two of you need to know.”

“…… Dirty movies?”

“Shogi pieces! Material for Shogi pieces! Mr. Kagamizu found the character design data I was looking for!”

“Do you seriously expect us to believe you would go through all that trouble for some writing to put on Shogi pieces?” Ai Yashajin says, glaring at me like I’m a steaming pile of garbage. Great, she thinks I asked him to find me adult stuff, too.

“…… Not just any writing, these are special. Since I’m going to order an expensive set, I wanted to make them one-of-a-kind.”

“One-of-a-kind …… Shogi pieces? You can make those?”

“Of course you can. You just have to know who to ask.”

I point out a group of people having a lively conversation a little ways away. Each of them has colorful short-sleeved jackets on with the words Kansai Board and Piece Committee written on the back. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they were on their way to a festival.

“All of them are banshi and komashi.”

“Banshi? Komashi?”

“They’re craftsmen who make boards and pieces. Isn’t it obvious?”

Ai Hinatsuru tilts her head, thinking as hard as she can.

Ai Yashajin makes a verbal jab, sort of like: how can you not know something so simple?

“Everyone thinks of Tendou City in Yamagata Prefecture when it comes to Shogi pieces, but there are actually some skilled craftsmen here in Kansai who’ve kept the traditional style alive. No matter how good your Shogi skills are, you’re not carrying on the tradition as it should be without a good set of pieces and a high quality board to go with them.”

“Oh, wow~! I didn’t know people could have that kind of job!”

Ai Hinatsuru looks genuinely interested, her eyes lighting up.

Ai Yashajin, on the other hand, says with an ice-cold smirk, “Not for long, they won’t. Playing Shogi on the Internet is getting even more popular and it’s more fun to play on a tablet because the timer is built in. Real Shogi boards will be gone sooner rather than later.”

“…… Well, that’s one way to look at it, but–––.”

I was coming up with the best way to counter Ai’s sharp tongue when suddenly.

––KKKKKKKKKKK!!

––OOOCCCCCCKKKKKKK!!

“Ock?”

A really strange yell echoes in from outside the room.

Neither of the Ai’s have a clue–––but I knew immediately what is coming.

“Oh crap!! Keika!”

“Y-Yes?!”

“Take the kids and run away! Now!!”

“Run away …… from who?! Where am I supposed to take them?!”

“Anywhere is better than here! The girls need to be as far away from this building as possible! Every second matters!!”