FAMILY SESSION
“Sorry ‘bout the other day.”
The day after my placement match.
Master sent everyone a message out of the blue that said, “I’ve got news,” and all of us gathered at his place. Even his granddaughter apprentices are here.
We’d been going out of our way to avoid each other for a while, so him sending out that message has everyone on edge.
Was today going to be the day he says the placement matches got to be too much for him and he’s going to talk about retirement ……?
Except, as he looks at all of us in turn, Master goes in a completely different direction.
“Countin’ Women’s League members, our family tree has six. That’s exactly even.”
An even number.
Big Sis and I lock eyes the moment he said it.
“I was thinkin’ we’d start doin’ regular practice sessions as a family. What’cha think?”
–––Just as I thought, he is proposing family sessions ……
Tightknit, relatively large Shogi families sometimes gather together like this and try to level up the whole family tree at once.
The problem with ours is …… We may all be part of the Kiyotaki tree, but our playing styles and rankings are all over the place. Some of us will get more out of a family practice session than others.
Players only agree to do practice sessions at all because there’s merit for both parties, but family sessions only happen because they’re family. The whole thing falls apart depending on how each member reacts to the idea–––.
“Can we, please! I want to practice with everyone!!” says Ai Hinatsuru, sitting on her ankles at the end of the table. Getting up on her knees and all for it, she reaches for Ai Yashajin sitting next to her, grabs her arm and says, “You want to, too, right, Ten-chan?! Right?!”
“…… I ……”
I can tell that she’s being as respectful to Master Kiyotaki as possible, but her eyes keep jumping to where Big Sis is sitting in the corner.
“So long as there is a possibility we may meet in the Mynavi Open, I would like to avoid participating in the same practice sessions.”
“Indeed …… A most valid opinion.”
Akira must’ve been listening in on our conversation from the hallway because no sooner did her voice come through the door than she slides it open with a bang!
“My Lady! Please allow me to participate in your stead!!”
“Huh? That would never be allowed. Know your place, Akira.”
“B-But I only wish to improve! May I observe at the very least ……? I’ll record the matches, keep time, whatever you need, just please let me take paaaart!!!”
Akira takes hold of Ai’s hands, pleading her case.
Unfortunately for her, Ai yells, “Get your hands off me!” and kicks with her feet.
Master apologetically adds, “Sorry, but this one’s only for pros,” and turns her away.
Keika, who has been quiet this whole time, cautiously turns to face me and says, “Um …… This would be great for us, but …… Are you okay with it, Yaichi? I know you’re undefeated right now, but your most important placement match ever is right around the corner. We could wait until everything is said and done to start ……?”
“That’s when Ginko’ll be startin’ in the 3-dan Division. Now’s the time to get goin’.”
“B-But, Father–––.”
“Ya gotta call me Master at times like this. When will ya learn?” Master scolds her. “There’s a new software strategy makin’ waves in pro league matches these days called Sittin’ Bishop Left Mino. If we don’t get everybody up to speed sooner rather than later somebody’s gonna get tripped up when they least expect it. That’s why I’m suggestin’ we do family sessions. There’s plenty of merit for Yaichi and Ginko.”
With that, Master looks at me and cocks a confident eyebrow.
“Well? Ya had no idea I was such a researcher, did ya?”
“No. I’m impressed.”
I nod as deep as I can to make it look like I agree wholeheartedly.
“I’ve been thinking about doing more practice sessions lately. I even talked to Big Sis, saying if we’re going to do it anyway, why not as a family? Isn’t that right, Big Sis?”
“True. I’ll be going against many of Kanto’s devoted researchers in the 3-dan division, so this will help my confidence.”
“That it will. Ha ha ha!”
In the best mood I’ve seen him in in a long time, Master laughs and takes out his pocket calendar to set a date.
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