Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 6 - Chapter 2.6

  FIRST TIME AT THE BIG BOARD

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Best of Seven A Rank Placement Match analysis session. I am your host, Hiuma Kagamizu 3-dan, and it is my pleasure to bring you thorough coverage of the match between King Mitsuru Oishi and Crown Yo Okito.”

Microphone in hand, Mr. Kagamizu looks right at home in front of the crowd gathered in the second-floor classroom.

Meanwhile, Ai Yashajin is giving me a piece of her mind in the stairwell that connects the classroom to an emergency exit downstairs.

“…… I haven’t heard a thing about this!!”

“Of course not. I didn’t tell you.”

“And why didn’t you?!”

“You would’ve found a way out of it if I told you in advance, right?”

There’s a saying: Lions throw their cubs into the abyss.

That’s exactly how I feel right now. The only way to get good at public speaking is to go out there over and over to get used to it. Providing commentary is an unavoidable part of being in the Women’s League. The earlier my apprentices start, the better.

“Unnnn~ …… I-I’m so nervous!”

Ai Hinatsuru is straightening her hair with her hands, fidgeting like a scared puppy.

At the same time, Ai Yashajin is lashing out at me with all her anger and frustration.

“You piece of trash! Only the lowest piece of filth would spring this on someone out of the blue!”

“Thanks. What a compliment ……”

I peek outside the emergency exit door to get a look at the classroom.

The usual tables and Shogi boards are gone. Rows of folding chairs have been set up in their place. Mr. Kagamizu, Sota and other Sub League members have set up the big board. There’s already a crowd of people sitting down.

Mr. Kagamizu glances in my direction before starting the introductions.

“Today’s analysis will be provided by Ryuo Yaichi Kuzuryu. And, our first commentator––.”

That’s our cue.

I take Ai Hinatsuru’s hand, open the door all the way and pull her out of the stairwell landing that is serving as our green room.

Mr. Kagamizu’s amplified voice echoes throughout the classroom.

“Our first commentator is one of the Women’s League’s newest additions, Ms. Ai Hinatsuru Women’s 2-kyu!”

Clap, clap, clap–––!!

“Fuwawa …… T-Thank you for having me!!”

Greeted by a warm round of applause, Ai throws herself into a bow so fast her forehead hits her knees. Flexible and adorable.

“While I’m sure she doesn’t need any introduction for everyone in the audience today, Hinatsuru Women’s 2-kyu is the Ryuo’s first apprentice. It just so happens that she’s making her commentary debut today! You chose a time to come to the association, folks! Sit back and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

“Yes, she’s new to this, so please go easy on her.”

I pick up right after Mr. Kagamizu’s announcement and start the analysis.

Ai takes her spot on the left side of the big board and I’m on the right, the usual arrangement for the commentator and analyst.

Except Ai is so nervous that her eyes are locked firmly on me rather than the audience. I swear, she looks like a frightened puppy begging for help.

–––This’ll get awkward if the audience picks up on how nervous she is …… 

Breaking the ice with a bit of friendly banter and calming her nerves is my job as her Master.

“Well, Ai …… Oh, wait, I should call you Miss Hinatsuru up here, shouldn’t I? Otherwise, it’ll be like the two of us are just talking at home.”

Ahahahaha …… 

That got a few chuckles from the crowd. Progress. Just need another push!

“Miss Hinatsuru, it’s only been a little more than a year since you started playing Shogi and here you are making your big board commentator debut. Already Women’s League 2-kyu, you must be amazingly talented!”

“Fwhee?! I …… I um …… I still don’t believe I became a Women’s League player so quickly ……”

“I see. So, what you’re saying is, your Master is a great teacher.”

Hah!!

That one hit home! The audience is all warmed up!

“Tell me, Miss Hinatsuru, have you had much of a chance to watch big board analysis? Your rise was so fast I’m not sure you’ve had much of a chance to see one live.”

“A-Actually …… N-Not much ……”

Ai looks at the floor, unsure of herself.

“But, I have seen you do it before, Master.”

“Oh? Where?”

“At the Tokyo Shogi Association.”

Crap.

I knew right then and there I’d stepped into forbidden territory and it blew up in my face like a landmine.

Ai had been drowning in stage fright, but now some strange power is flooding through her voice.

“I observed you commentating on the Emperor Title Match with a Women’s League player on Niko Live. Yes, you were having a great time with Rokuroba-sensei.”

“Ah, yes, I remember that. Anyway, let’s shift our attention to the first move in this match––.”

“You stared at her breasts the whole time, Master.”

“Huuh?! N-No, I didn’t!”

“You stared and stared, didn’t you?”

“………… They might’ve crossed my line of sight once or twice, but that’s all ……”

“You were so absorbed in them that comments like Ryuo’s watching the bounce, lol went across the screen, remember?”

“…………”

“And it’s not just Rokuroba-sensei, is it? Whether it’s Keika or Kugui-sensei or whoever, Master likes women with big breasts, right?”

“W-Well~ …… Hahaha. You sure have a sharp tongue! Now, about the first move–––.”

“Don’t change the subject. We’re discussing whether or not you like women with big breasts right now.”

“Um, we’re here to analyze Shogi ……”

“We are! What could be more interesting than analyzing the Ryuo, the one at the top of the Shogi world! I’m sure the audience would love to know, am I right?!”

“Damn straight!” 

“Don’t chicken out, Ryuo!” 

“What? You’re not into little girls?!”

Audiences in Kanto are usually very quiet and attentive, but Kansai people love to talk and join in the analysis all the time. It’s what makes doing commentary here special.

Usually, having audience participation is great but …… But, for the love of the Shogi gods, keep your mouths shut today!!

“N-Next move! Let’s do the Next Move Quiz!”

“Huh? Right now?!” Mr. Kagamizu says, shocked by my sudden suggestion.

I don’t blame him. Not a single piece has moved on the big board. Basically, it’s still showing the starting formation. There’s nothing to predict here. One look at the match record and everybody will know the answer.

But, I didn’t have any other choice!

“N-Now, it’s time for the Next Move Quiz …… What move will Oishi-King make to open the match …… Or, what he made? To start? What do you think, folks? Put on your thinking caps ……”

This is why people come to these analysis sessions!

It’s a game where they guess what move the players will make next.

Guess right, and they can win all sorts of Shogi goods, usually player autographs, folding fans and match records, just to name a few. It’d be a waste to let this chance slip by.

“Kuzuryu-sensei. Would you please announce three choices?”

“I’d be happy to. First–––.”

“Guess which type of woman Master will choose!”

“Say what?!”

“There are three choices!”

A: Elementary School Girl

B: Women’s League Player with Large Breasts

C: Other

“Those are the choices?! Was Next Move always that kind of quiz?!”

I found out later that pretty much everyone in the audience chose “A.”

“And we’re back. Please direct your attention to the big board. There were some … circumstances … to attend to and we have a new commentator. Thank you for your understanding.”

After a lengthier break than usual.

“…… Ai, are you ready?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you? You’re the one soaked with sweat.”

“……… I’m just fine ……”

…… I was going to have the commentator switched out at some point anyway, but I never thought it’d be only fifteen minutes into the session. We didn’t even get to analyze the first move. I’m pretty sure that’s never happened before.

Ai Hinatsuru was having a bit of a tantrum, so I asked Keika to take her back to Master’s place. The way she looked at Keika’s chest was slightly terrifying.

“The next commentator is making her debut today, as well.”

Taking our cue from Mr. Kagamizu’s announcement, I guide Ai Yashajin to the front of the classroom.

“The Ryuo’s second apprentice and the youngest Women’s League player in history, she has reached the Mynavi Finals in her first tournament appearance and is making waves in the Shogi world–––Ai Yashajin Women’s 2-kyu!”

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP–––!!

The crowd might be more enthusiastic this time because Ai Yashajin is from the Kansai area.

Or maybe–––.

“Kobe has great expectations for its hometown star, so much so that she’s been dubbed Kobe’s Cinderella. What a wonderful nickname it is.”

“Excuse me! I made it very clear that you weren’t supposed to say that, didn’t I?! Do you want to die?!”

Mr. Kagamizu winks at her as Ai starts freaking out on stage.

This is payback for what she said in the Player’s Room. No matter how tiny the jab, competitors aren’t going to just walk away. That’s a good lesson for Lady Ai to learn.

After taking that verbal punch in the face, Ai got hit with a haymaker.

“My Lady! This way! Please look over in this direction!!”

A lady wearing a black suit and sunglasses has a digital camera pointed directly at my apprentice and is waving her arm back and forth over her head.

Its Ai’s bodyguard, Akira Ikeda (Shogi is her pastime, sniping is her specialty).

What’s more, she’s not alone.

“I went to all the Shogi parlors to round up the geezers and punks you’ve gotten to know and brought them here as your own cheering squad! Alright you ingrates, don’t tell me you think the Lady is satisfied with that piss-poor round of applause?!! Keep going strong until I give the signal!!”

“……… Akira ……… After this, you’re dead ………”

Another chill rolls down my spine. Akira …… You’ve gone too far …… 

I send up a quick prayer for her before switching gears to Shogi analysis.

“As the Worldly Maestro is on offense, it goes without saying that he opened with Ranging Rook.”

“It’s Ranging Rook …… But, something seems different about his strategy.”

Ai takes on a more grown-up tone and follows my lead. Nicely done.

“Oishi-sensei advanced his central Pawn on the third turn. That by itself shows he’s using Ranging Rook, or at least I thought so–––.”

“Oishi-King’s strategy of choice is to line up his own Rook with his opponent’s and set up a head-on collision, Opposing Rook! Since you play both Static Rook and Ranging Rook, Miss Yashajin, what do you think about his decision?”

“This isn’t a league match or the Practice League. I haven’t done enough research ……”

“Ah, good point. Opposing Rook tends to become a free-for-all once the battle starts. That’s why most players are hesitant to use it in important matches.”

“This is an A Rank Placement Match, and these two will meet again in the King League. So, today’s match is like a preliminary round, yes? What do you think Oishi-King is planning, Sensei?”

“Let’s advance a few rounds and I’ll show you.”

Ai fully understands her role as a commentator, not only answering the questions I ask her but asking me questions in return. Wow, she’s easy to talk to. Nicely done. She is taking the big board pieces from me like a well-oiled machine. I guess she’s looking really good at it because Ai Hinatsuru didn’t move any at all during her time up here. 

“Ah, here’s the spot.”

We arrive at the point in the match we saw in the Player’s Room, around the 20th move.

“Pay close attention to the offense’s left Silver. Can you see what it’s trying to accomplish?”

“What it’s trying to …… Oh!”

Ai takes a few steps back to look at the whole board and read.

“Could it be …… Reverse Climbing Silver?!”

“Nicely spotted. Reverse Climbing Silver as a strategy that uses the left Silver and a Rook to break a defensive formation. Climbing Silver strategies are known for pairing with yagura castles and Bishop Exchanges, but Ranging Rook strategies can use them as well.”

“Yes. Bishop Exchange Fourth File Rook …… Wait!”

Ai’s already wide eyes opening even wider.

“Is he using …… Bishop Exchange Fourth File Rook standards with an Opposing Rook strategy?!”

“That he is! That’s Oishi-sensei’s creativity at its finest,” I explain as I move the left Silver across the big board.

“Reverse Climbing Silver can inflict a great deal of damage if it hits home. However, it’s a simple strategy that’s easy to counter, even moreso with elements of Fourth File Rook in play. That being said–––.”

“I see …… All research on how to deal with Fourth File Rook is useless against Opposing Rook. That’s an amazing idea!”

Ai’s formal tone disappears as she gets excited, but that lets the audience know just how incredible Oishi-sensei is, so it’s all good. I can tell just by looking that the whole crowd is on the edge of their seats.

“Miss Yashajin, you have some experience with Bishop Exchange Fourth File Rook, don’t you? How do you see the offense shaping up?”

“…… It’s hard to tell at first glance. What about you, Sensei?”

“Realistically, his chances of success are up in the air. It’s fun to think about, but if the defense should deploy a Bishop at 7 Six–––.”

This.

This is what I wanted!

Smooth, easy small talk with a commentator who makes focusing on the match analysis a breeze.

Ai Yashajin …… I thought that sharp tongue of hers would make commentating nearly impossible, but it turns out she’s good at it?!

“Let’s take a moment to talk about Crown Yo Okito. This may be a Kansai analysis session, but people will think we’re playing favorites if we spend the whole time talking about Mr. Oishi.”

“Not that that gives Oishi-King any sort of advantage.”

That got belly laughs out of the crowd. Keep it up, Ai!

Unfortunately, the mood got completely destroyed with the next question.

“Miss Yashajin, do you know Okito-Crown?”

“Of course, I do. He’s the first professional to lose to a computer, yes?”

Murmur!

The warmed-up crowd freezes over in the blink of an eye.

And I can feel the blood draining from my veins.

“Back then, people called him all sorts of names like Humanity’s Shame and The Traitor Who Ended Shogi. I think those are fair assessments, though, because, despite using his best strategy, he failed to put the machine in check even once in that horrible match.”

“Uhh, hold on there …… Miss Yashajin, you might want to avoid–––.” 

“What’s wrong with talking about it? It’s common knowledge that software has gone beyond what people can do. Even the Meijin would lose more often than not. Isn’t that right, everyone?” Ai yells to the crowd.

“Ya bet he would!” 

“Well said!” 

“No! I believe in the Meijin!”

And more. There’s energy building in the crowd again, but it’s not what it used to be.

The difference between software and people …… Pros and Sub League members typically want to avoid talking about Mr. Okito, a top-tier pro, losing to a machine at all costs.

Now, Ai is breaking that taboo without a second thought.

“And speaking of that Okito guy, he stopped talking to people and going to practice sessions so that he could study exclusively with software, didn’t he? Lots of young players have their eye on him because of his fast turnaround. Therefore, didn’t losing turn out better for him in the end?”

“S-Seriously, Ai! That’s too far–––.”

“Though I do feel sorry for him. No matter what new strategy he might come up with, people just say: The software taught him how to do that. He could claim all the titles and it still wouldn’t be enough …… But opinions will change once working with software becomes a normal part of Shogi.”

This conversation jampacked with taboos seems to have lit a fire in the audience.

“You’re right! You think he’s happy, resorting to software just to win?!” 

“Nah, as long as I get to see interesting Shogi matches, I’m good!” 

“Shouldn’t pros win with their own ideas?!” 

“If you’re gonna bring that up, what about practice sessions–––?!”

No one cares about the match anymore. The analysis session has turned into a philosophical debate about whether people are stronger than computers and how the Shogi world will change …… 

Having completely lost control, I say, “It’s about time for grade schoolers to get to bed,” as an excuse to end the session early.

Disaster!

Their commentator debuts were a total disaster too!!