Prologue

 PROLOGUE

It was inside the most lavish tatami room in the fanciest hotel in Osaka. The woman sitting in front of the tokonoma alcove wore a vibrant kimono. Known as the Thorn Princess, her beauty made her stand out from the surroundings that much more.

However, all those countless cameras lined up behind the Thorn Princess were not there for her.

They were pointed at the opposite side of a thick Shogi board––––––focused on the tiny little girl sitting there.

“Look this way, please!”

“What emotions are you feeling right now?!”

“Did you think you would win this series in a straight sweep?!”

In the face of an endless string of flashes, the little girl answered the endless string of questions one after another in as few words as possible.

Still just a little girl–––who only just started the sixth grade.

That little girl joined a Shogi tournament 10 months ago simply because she was bored.

She was the youngest in that tournament, and never lost a single match.

On that day with me, Master, Shogi association staff members and a small army of journalists watching, she won that tournament–––defeating the beautiful woman clad in a kimono who sat in the upper seat–––to become the new champion.

She was the same as she had been the day before.

The same person who lived with me in an old house in an old part of Osaka, the one who shared a bunk bed with me in the kids’ room on the second floor.

We shared everything equally: from food, to allowance, to our Master’s love and support. Someone closer to me than my actual brothers.

Being together was only natural, the two of us obviously being one and the same. The thought of it being any different never crossed my mind, almost like she was my other half.

I made my way through all the cameras and swarming adults to get a picture of her in her moment of triumph and called her name.

“●●●●● ! Look over here!”

“Watch your mouth,” one of the adults snapped at me. “You can’t call her that anymore.”

Why?

I stood there, stunned, and was told exactly why.

“Because she’s a title holder–––she’s the Queen now.”

It was as if I was some mutt that had wandered into a castle from the street, and all the adults were rushing in to protect the princess from me.

“Darn right.”

“Her status is well beyond a mere Sub League player like you.”

“Higher than your average pro, I’d say.”

“She’s the Shogi world’s treasure, a ray of hope on par with the Meijin himself–––.”

All those countless voices singing her praises easily sliced apart the two who had always been together like a hot knife through butter.

At the same time, I felt a new, budding pain sear its way through me.

I don’t know what to call the emotion that burned its way into my life that day either.

But there is one thing I know for sure.

That day, I gained a new reason to fight …… A new reason to get stronger, and that reason is still with me today.