Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 8 - Chapter SS

“Yep, I knew you’d be here.”

A day after the Yamashiro Ouka Title Match ended.

I came to the Kansai Shogi Association bright and early but found that two people got here before me, and they’re in the middle of a practice match.

“Agh? What’d you mean by knew it?”

“Ryuo-san, much obliged for yesterday♡”

Women’s King Ryou Tsukiyomizaka and the newly crowned Queen Yamashiro Ouka Machi Kugui fresh off defending her title.

Seeing the two of them play a practice match like they always did before facing off for the title is such a relief.

“Meh, there’s no point getting upset over every little thing.”

“I have no reason for dismay as I completed a successful defense♡”

Ryou looks like she’s stopped caring about everything and anything while Machi seems like she’s walking on air.

Many people want to have Match Three recognized as a memorable match this year (which would be a first for Women’s Shogi if it ranks in). After playing a match like that, the result doesn’t seem as important anymore. Though, I’m sure the winner feels even better about it.

Taking a seat next to Ryou, I look at the board and ask, “Having a practice match? Who’s got the advantage?”

“This ain’t a match. We’re researching here, researching.”

“After two consecutive days of fierce competition, playing another match with a win or loss hanging in the balance would be far too stressful.”

I agree. Looking over the board, they’re working through one of the latest strategies.

Since Machi is typing away on a smartphone next to the board, they must be working with another practice group someplace else. A lot more people have been doing this style of practice session recently.

“But, yeah, you sure got it rough,” says Ryou, looking at me after she moves a piece on the board.

“Huuh? How so?”

“The Mynavi Finals, Mynavi. If Gothic Small Fry ends up beating Machi to become the challenger, she’s got a five-match series against Ginko, yeah? You’re caught in the middle even worse than when Machi and I went at it.”

Gothic Small Fry …… She must be talking about Ai Yashajin.

Machi slyly grins at me like a fox and piles it on.

“Most certainly. Your second mistress is trying to take your elder sister’s title. Indeed, you are caught between a rock and a hard place. But of course, I have no intention of allowing that to come to pass.”

“Second mistress …… Do you mean Ai Yashajin?! Please, never say that again! You’re going to get me killed!”

“By whom?”

“Both!”

Out of the entire Kiyotaki Shogi family, those two facing off is the worst possible combination. Including practice matches, I don’t think they’ve ever played against each other.

If those two end up having to fight it out …… The thought is so terrifying I don’t want to picture it. The only thing I know for sure is that I won’t be walking away in one piece.

“From Small Fry’s point of view, Ginko’s like a sister-in-law, right? That’s a fight waiting to happen.”

“Whose side shall you take, Ryuo-san?”

“Both of theirs.”

From where I’m standing, I would love for both of them to play their best and see people clamoring to nominate them like what happened during the Yamashiro Ouka Title Match.

I’ll do whatever I can to make that happen, but not in a way that requires me to play favorites.

Unfortunately, that answer won’t be enough for these two–––.

“Get off the fence, Ryuo-san. We’re inquiring about who you’ll stand with.”

“H~mm …… Well, Big Sis is used to these title matches. As Ai’s Master, it’s my responsibility to make sure she’s ready.”

“You’re gonna get knifed.”

“Agreed. Run through but good.”

“Would you please not predict how I’m going to die?”

Because, I’m worried that that’s exactly what’s going to happen!

“…… But, actually, I came here today to ask you two about that.”

“Ways to give Ginko a leg-up without anyone finding out?”

“No, not that.”

I put on a serious face and ask.

“This will be Ai Yashajin’s first title match, so do you have any advice I can pass along to her from a woman’s point of view? I can’t give her the full picture and it’s not like she can go to Big Sis for help.”

“Very true …… Perhaps it would be prudent to review proper waiting time usage with her.”

“For sure. Regular Women’s League matches don’t have much waiting time at all but when title matches come around you suddenly have a heck of a lot more. It can be confusing.”

“I see, I see.”

That’s something I should be able to teach. Pro League matches normally have lots of waiting time.

“And …… Ah! You’d better be sure she knows this, got it? But, having her learn from trash like you would be a bit ……”

“Just tell me, okay, Ryou?”

“I’m talkin’ about kimono here, kimono. Now there’s a rule that says we’ve got to wear kimono for the Queen Title Match, so it’d be better to get her used to wearing one ASAP.”

Oh ……!

“Agreed. There’s a certain technique to playing Shogi in kimono.”

Machi moves a piece on the board before rubbing her chest.

With those glorious boobs of hers jiggling just right, I get the feeling that today is definitely a good day.

“It’s the bosom that’s the most uncomfortable. Men’s kimonos are tied just above the waist, but women’s confine the chest when tied. Breathing can sometimes be laborious, which makes the prospect of focusing on Shogi nearly impossible.”

“Oh, I see ……”

“Really? Sure, it gets tight across the chest after eating, but I haven’t had that problem much at all.”

“Probably not, no,” I say with a nod right away, which was followed by Ryou’s fist almost as quickly. That’s great. She seems to have completely recovered from losing yesterday …… But now I’m the one in pain.

“Want me to smash your face in, Kuzu?! Here we are, giving you serious advice so the half-pint might stand a chance against that female Shogi machine ……!”

“But you know. When it comes to boobs, Big Sis is just as flat. She’s a good match for a grade school girl, don’t you think?”

“Wait, wait, wait. I’m sure Ginko’s got more of a bustline than that.”

“Nope, nope. They’re still flat as a board and barely there.”

“Should you be so frank? Ginko will have your head if that should reach her ears.”

“Nah, it’s fine. I learned my lesson a long time ago.”

I take out my smartphone and show Machi the screen.

“I know exactly what’s on Big Sis’s schedule. She won’t come to the association today. Not only is her practice session with Keika on the schedule, Keika sent me a picture of the two of them playing earlier this morning.”

“Well then. By the way, Ryuo-san.”

“Yes?”

“This smartphone here. Are you aware of the hands-free feature?”

Machi then points to the phone currently connected to another practice session taking place in a different location.

Almost on cue, a voice I know all too well echoes from it …… A message from hell itself.

“Would you mind telling me what’s flat as a board and barely there?”

“B …… Big S––––––.”

“You and your apprentice’s heads on a pike. Double skewer.”

She heard everything.

This could be the end of the Kuzuryu Shogi family.