Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 6 - Chapter 5.4

  CELEBRATION

“Dad! Are you sure it’s recording?!”

Keika’s sharp voice comes blaring out of the kitchen and Master and I pull our heads down like turtles.

No, it’s not recording.

“…… Hmm, I guess this thing has seen better days.”

I’ve tried to get the TV’s recording function to work several times, but nothing’s getting saved. Maybe it’s time to get a new one?

There’s a live stream of Big Sis’s press conference on the screen.

“Now you are officially the first female to achieve 3-dan. Did you come here today determined to get the promotion?!”

“Of course. I play every match intending to win.”

We raced home as soon as we found out Big Sis got promoted.

Keika, who was waiting for us when we got here, happily declared, “We need to celebrate!” Then, she brought Ai Hinatsuru and Ai Yashajin into the kitchen to help her out and got the dead weight (Master and I) out of the way. So, we’re here in the living room.

There’s so much noise coming out of the kitchen right now. 

“Well, you can’t exactly prepare for a party like this. Getting ready in advance would just pile on pressure and jinx her at the same time. Nothing we can do about it.”

“……”

Master silently stares at the TV.

“Chairman Tsukimitsu. Does Miss Sora promoting while in junior high school bode well for her future?”

“Of course. There’s no mistaking that she has great potential,” the chairman said softly from his seat next to Big Sis. “However, promoting to 4-dan requires advancing through the 3-dan division, the most competitive scene in the Shogi world. The Meijin and myself were promoted to 4-dan while still in junior high, but we did so before the 3-dan division came into existence. The only person who has made it through the modern format while still in junior high is Ryuo Yaichi Kuzuryu. And, he went on to claim Shogi’s highest position, Dragon King Ryuo, immediately after his promotion.”

“So, what you’re saying is …… making it through the 3-dan division is as difficult as standing on top of the Shogi world?”

“Yes. The 3-dan division is unforgiving. Only two will make it through the rigors of each season …… So long as that holds true, talent alone will not be enough to make it through. A strong heart is imperative.”

“A …… strong heart?”

The journalist doing the interview didn’t seem to get what the chairman said, but Big Sis sat up straight at his side.

“I’m pretty sure the chairman said that for Big Sis rather than the journalist. Like a parting gift in words.”

“……”

Master sent up a prayer toward the TV.

He should be the one sitting next to Big Sis at the press conference, but …… Master Kiyotaki had his wisdom teeth taken out yesterday. He still can’t talk at all.

Even so, he had a kimono ready and was about to go to the association. That’s when his irritated elder brother apprentice, Chairman Tsukimitsu, told him, “Don’t bother coming if you can’t speak.” So, Master had no choice but to wait at home. Of course, that’s what happened.

“Seriously, Master, why did you schedule that surgery for yesterday?”

“Fphh ighhh hyaaahhee hehya.”

“Yeah, you can’t go to a press conference like this.”

Charlette is easier to understand.

Giving up on trying to interpret Master’s jumble of sounds, I focus completely on the press conference so I don’t miss a word of what Big Sis has to say.

“You will officially take part in the next 3-dan division season starting in April. Should all go well, you could be a professional in six months. What do you think your chances are?”

“I’m focused on winning the match in front of me, nothing else.”

“Are you aiming to promote to 4-dan by a certain age?”

“The 3-dan division is much more competitive than anything I’ve faced before, so my only goal at the moment is getting my first victory.”

“Are you concerned about doing Women’s League matches at the same time?”

“I believe that each match is a chance for improvement. The more the better.”

“Your defense matches will overlap with the 3-dan division schedule. Do you foresee any problems?”

“Both are important, and I intend to fully commit myself to each of them.”

“There’s a possibility that someone in your Shogi lineage, Ai Yashajin, may challenge you for the Queen title. Your thoughts?”

“I play my way no matter who the opponent is.”

“Are you planning to continue on to high school?”

“I’ll make a decision once I have a chance to talk it over with my Master and my parents. Personally, I would like to be in a position where I can prioritize Shogi.”

“Miss Sora, that sailor-style uniform has become your trademark. Entering high school would mean wearing a blazer instead. Which do you prefer?”

“I’ve never worn a blazer, so I honestly don’t know.”

“Can I ask for your honest opinion about your nickname: Naniwa’s Snow White?”

“It’s easy for fans to remember, so I’m grateful to have it.”

“A renowned foreign clothing brand makes designs with you specifically in mind, Miss Sora. They seem to want you to wear their designs during matches. Would you consider it?”

“I will think about it once I’m a professional.”

The look on her face is an absolute no.

All the Shogi questions disappear after that and the reporters start asking her about her favorite foods and movie stars.

“…… I guess that means most of the journalists there think of Big Sis like a celebrity.”

“Hyhhf hfaaai faya fohoo.”

“Master. Would you please be quiet?”

The press conference is wrapping up.

“The next question will be the last,” announces Ms. Oga, overseeing crowd control.

Each of the journalists must want to ask it because a sea of hands flies into the air–––.

“Yes …… The young woman wearing glasses, please.”

“Shogi journalist, Mato.”

The last one to be called upon announces her pen name before asking her question.

“Do you idolize any professional player?”

“………”

For the first time, Big Sis doesn’t know what to say.

“…… There’s no one that I idolize, no,” she finally says after taking a minute to organize her thoughts.

Then, she looks directly into the camera and says …… 

“But––––––there is one I want to play against as a pro.”

The journalists go nuts.

“Who is it?!”

“A titleholder?!”

“Or, is it your Master?!”

“It’s gotta be the Meijin, right?!”

Big Sis stands up and does a deep bow.

“I’m sorry. I’ll say who it is when I become a professional.”

As if that were the signal, Chairman Tsukimitsu brings the press conference to a close.

“That’s all for today. Please submit any further questions in writing and they will be answered at a later date.”

But.

“Miss Sora! Please just a few more questions!”

Unable to take no for an answer, the journalists start following Big Sis out of the room.

“How many years do you think it will take to turn pro?!”

“Talent agencies seem very interested in your services, Miss Sora?!”

“Is there a man who you are currently involved with?!”

They go right up to her.

“Receiving this degree of attention is truly an honor.”

A blind Shogi player steps in front of the media horde to protect Big Sis.

Chairman Tsukimitsu turns his unseeing eyes toward them and glares.

“However, Sub League players are not professionals nor are they public figures. They are trainees who have sacrificed every other aspect of their lives to commit their futures to Shogi and Shogi alone. Reaching 3-dan is only the starting line along that path. I humbly request that you continue to quietly watch over her journey from a distance for the time being.”

“………”

Nobody could say anything against the chairman’s elegant words. He always knows just what to say.

The feed switches back to the news studio.

It’s time for the local news to start, but it seems like Big Sis is the top story there, too.

“Look! They’re going to do another news segment right away.”

“Ffhhyai ffuuha fhaa.”

“True. True.”

While I have no idea what he said, it’s easier to just nod along with it. He’s my Master after all!

“But I’ve got to say, if they’re making this big of a deal out of Big Sis promoting to 3-dan, what are they going to do when she turns pro? It’ll be national news, not just in the Shogi world. Just think, this will be rare footage ten years down the road as long as we can get it recorded!”

“…… Fhoo fhhaahhah.”

“Oh, and who do you think she wants to face when she makes it to the pros? It’s got to be the Meijin. There’s no way she was talking about you, Master.”

“Fhhhnnofhhhaaahhhhfannnhyaaafuuuhaa.”

“True. True.”

Master and I go back and forth like this a few times when.

Tap tap.

I feel a finger poking my shoulder from behind.

It’s Keika. She’s got her smartphone in her other hand.

“Hm? …… Ah, Keika. It’s fine, really. We couldn’t get the press conference recorded onto a DVD, but Master and I have it perfectly locked away in our memories. We’ll play it back for Big Sis when she gets home–––.”

“Don’t worry about that now.”

Phone tightly in her grasp, she leans in close to whisper in my ear.

“…… Yaichi. Would you go meet Ginko at the station?”

“Station? So, I need to go over to Fukushima?”

“No. Noda.”

Noda Station is practically across the street.

“Ginko just got on the train. She’ll get to Noda any minute, so go pick her up.”

“Why? Noda Station is straight down the street, barely a block away. She doesn’t need me to meet her–––.”

“Just go, Yaichi!”

She shoves me toward the door and I end up going that way without any idea why.

Both my apprentices look busy in the kitchen.

–––Well …… I’ll only get in the way here.

With that in mind, I leave the house on my own.