Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 9 - Chapter 5.8

  THE CHICK AND THE CAT

“That article of yours was really good.”

“Uwhee?”

It’s been a long time since the last Grade Schooler Practice Session, but I joined them on a day off.

The four girls invited me to join them at the Kansai Shogi Association’s classroom in the morning and now two of us are sitting at the counter at Twelve, a restaurant on the first floor, getting lunch.

The girl sitting next to me is Ai Hinatsuru.

I invited her specifically by saying, “We need to talk, in private.”

Spoonful of butter rice floating halfway between the plate and her mouth, Ai just stares at me as I sip cow tongue stew (the most expensive item on their menu) and say, “The article you wrote. The one that got published in that magazine.”

“You …… read it?”

“Why are you so surprised? It’s an article written about me and by my older sister apprentice. Of course I read it.”

Her descriptions of the arena during the match could use a bit of work, but …… My whole body felt like it was on fire after reading it.

Especially the last part. It went like this.

“This, this should have been my story ……”

Rematch of the third Queen Title Match. That was the only thought I had watching Ten-chan’s face from the side as she fought with all her strength during the late game.

It wasn’t because she got to play Shogi in pretty clothes or the spotlight the media had cast on her.

I became an apprentice in the Kuzuryu Shogi line before Ten-chan.

I also joined the Women’s League before she did.

But Ten-chan has always been walking ahead of me. She started playing Shogi years and years before I did, and she’s also stronger than me. Even her winning percentage surpassed mine before I knew it.

I have always been looking up at her from behind.

However, this time was my first opportunity to see her face from the side during a match.

Sitting at that board was a Ten-chan I didn’t recognize.

It wasn’t the hard-working prodigy whose moves overflowed with talent, research and unwavering confidence or the Cinderella who became the fastest player to ever become a challenger. Instead, it was the real Ai Yashajin.

What I saw was–––a competitor with a clenched jaw, dripping sweat and overcoming despair time and again, always thinking of her next move. The face of a Women’s League player.

This Ten-chan, fighting with grit and refusing to give up, was so many times more beautiful and cooler than the Ten-chan I knew …… She looked so much like the Shogi player I admire more than anyone in the world.

Which is why the entire time I’ve been writing this article, I’ve only been thinking one thing.

“This, this should have been my story ……!”

One year ago, when I first played against Ten-chan in the Practice League, I lost because I let a seven-step checkmate slip away.

I cried that day, saying that I had lost to myself.

But I was wrong. I lost to Ten-chan that day.

She’s so strong because she loves Shogi more than I do.

She’s so strong because she isn’t afraid of challenges like me.

She’s so strong because she works harder than I do.

I have avoided comparing myself to Ten-chan up until now… because it would hurt too much if I tried as hard as I could, pushed myself to my limits and still didn’t make it ……

However, I won’t be looking away ever again.

It’s taken over a year, but I will start by accepting that loss.

Just like the side of that face that never looked away from the board or Sora-sensei, I will focus completely on Shogi.

Next time–––I will face Ten-chan from the front and write my own story.

It was an article, a declaration of her own commitment, and her issuing a challenge all at the same time.

“You have some real guts, you know that? Turning the last line of your article into a challenge directed at me….”

Next time, she will write self-commentary articles–––basically, she’s saying she will take my place as the next Queen Challenger.

“……………. Sorry ……”

Grasping her spoon just above her knee, Ai stares directly into her butter rice as she squeezes out her words.

“I know I said I was supporting you the whole time, but ………… I’m …… relieved that you didn’t win the title, Ten-chan ……”

“Naturally. I’d be angry at you if you were happy for me.”

“Wha?! Why ……?”

“Like I said back when we first played each other in the Practice League, I see you as my rival.”

“Rival ……”

“What? Are you saying I’m not yours?”

“No, no! I want to catch up to where you are! I want to surpass you!!”

Ai, smiling and crying at the same time.

I’m sure she’ll catch up in no time at all. I’m not just going to let her surpass me, though. The thought of being chased doesn’t scare me at all.

Because we can just get stronger together.

“Also, I wanted to talk to you today because I wanted to say thank you.”

“?”

“When our Sensei fought against King Oishi …… Oh, he’s not King anymore.”

The King Title Match finally finished up just a day or two ago and required me to correct my statement.

“I watched their match over the Internet. Even after it ended, I still watched …… Until the last comment was updated after the review session.”

“……!”

“You’re the one who wrote it, right? Thanks to that, I played respectable Shogi in the third match.”

The most important thing I got from it wasn’t the inspiration to play 4 Two Silver–style Bishop Exchange Opposing Rook.

It was the courage to believe in myself.

“So, thanks.”

“Ten-chan ……”

“Saved by only three lines of text, humph. I’m such a simple girl.”

Ai finally smiles back when I make the longest, most obvious sigh I can.

Now ……

“There is one thing, though, that I need to apologize for.”

I casually broached the topic like an afterthought and bring that up.

“Do you remember the last thing I said the day we met the Thorn Princess?”

“Hm? Sure I do.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“………. Uhh?”

Making a moronic face once again, Ai drops the spoon that was on its way to her mouth back onto her plate with a loud clang.

“Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh?! T-Ten-chan …… Are you saying–––.”

“Waiter. Check please,” I say as I get out of my seat, being careful to avoid Ai’s eyes at the same time. “Both on my card.”

“We only accept cash,” the man behind the counter tells me.

“Well then, put it on a tab. You could come collect at my family’s manor if you’d like?” 

“Heh! I’d need to find a glass slipper first.”

Grinning at the waiter’s joke, I tell him it was delicious and leave the association through Twelve’s outside door.

Then, just to make sure no one sees just how red my face is, I race down Naniwa Street.

I’m not trying to go anywhere in particular. Just, I wanted to run.

–––The idiot said so. He said Father and Mother are inside of me ……

But, there’s actually one more.

I must apologize to Father and Mother, but …… That person is taking up more and more space.

Now I understand what the Thorn Princess was trying to say.

This feeling blooming within me gives me strength.

“…… Too close to notice. For sure.”

That person didn’t notice either.

Father’s match records weren’t the only ones I lined up. Father and I always played through match records he received from Chairman Tsukimitsu of a certain Sub League member. I continued to do so after he died and after that Sub League member became a professional. That’s why they’ve always been within me ……

But they never notice anything—even if I’m right beside them.

Never notice how hard my heart beats or how hot my skin gets.

Honestly, they’re not my type whatsoever and they are always surrounded by women. Having Shogi on the brain means they have no fashion sense at all and don’t pick up on anything that’s happening.

Even so, even a single thought of them–––.

“Hot.”

That person’s name is Yaichi Kuzuryu.

The Shogi player I admire most in the world …… And the first person I’ve ever had feelings for.

“Nrgghhh! Just why?! Why did it have to turn out like this?!”

There are six women’s titles, but only one of him. All my rivals are strong and there’s not much of an opening for me because I’m late to join the arena. This battle will be much more severe than the Queen Title Match.

But! I have no intention of giving up.

I won’t lose to my wicked aunt or jealous older sister. I don’t care if I get smothered in ash or mud, I will hold strong until a chance comes to me. Then, I will take the Ryuo’s heart for myself.

“After all …… I’m Cinderella!”