Yashajin

The fourth grader leans over the table, reaches out toward her Master and scoops the bit of whipped cream off his cheek before sticking it in her mouth.

“He-he♡”

She smiles like she’s having the time of her life. Is she trying to kill me?!

I will my weakening spine to wake the hell up and teach my apprentice a thing or two about city life.

“…… Are you listening, Ai? Bad people tend to gather in crowded places like this in Osaka and Kobe. Cute little girls like you, Ai, are easy targets. Never come to these places unless Keika or I are with you, okay?”

“Sorry, Master. I couldn’t really hear you. Can you say that again?”

“Like I said, cute girls like you are easy targets for bad people, so you need to keep your eyes open–––.”

“E-he♡ E-heh-heh♡.”

For some reason, my apprentice happily puffs out her cheeks as I’m trying to warn her. So damn cute.

“Listen you …… Something bad is going to happen if you don’t take me seriously. Cities are dangerous places, so you always need to be careful.”

“Oookay!”

At least I got that answer out of her, but she’s frolicking her way to my side of the table with that poufy smile of hers still on her face. Her cuteness is overflowing. For the love of all that’s sacred, make it stop!!

A lot of people that play Shogi aren’t interested in much else, my apprentice included. Actually, Shogi is about the only thing they’re interested in.

“Big Sis had quite a few problems herself–––.”

“!!”

A jolt ran down Ai’s body at the mere mention of Big Sis.

My elder “sister” apprentice, the two-title holder Ginko Sora, stands out of the crowd like you wouldn’t believe.

Not only do her silver hair and white skin turn her into a beacon in the sunlight, her perfectly balanced face makes her look like a fairy or something. More guys have hit on her than I can count and she’s had a few stalkers too. They always seem to mistake me for her boyfriend whenever that happens, causing me a lot of pain. But really, I don’t know how much of this I can take.

“…… Master.”

“Yeah?”

“Me and that girl …… Which one is higher?”

Higher?

As in which one of the two of you stands out more?

“That’d be Big Sis of course. Her looks make hearts skip a beat and her face is pretty much everywhere. Only natural: she’s Naniwa’s Snow White after all.”

“…… Master darabuchi.”

Ai’s piping mad. I don’t blame her, bringing up the opponent that has driven her to tears in Practice League matches. Must’ve been too much for her.

Having a higher-ranking rival in the same Master/apprentice line has triggered her competitive spirit. It happens even when not playing Shogi.

That competitive spirit …… That’s what I like to see!

But please, leave me out of your fights, okay!!

“So then, Master. You said we had work today? Was it to explore Kobe?”

“Of course not …… We have a lesson. A lesson, got that?”

I let out a long sigh, take a swig of coffee and explain what pro Shogi players do for work.

“We basically do two kinds of jobs, matches and promotion. Matches are playing Shogi. Promotion is meant to introduce people to the game, like being a judge at Shogi tournaments, giving instructional lessons at regional events and doing commentary on TV shows or signing autographs …… What I’m saying is that there’s a lot to do for promotion besides playing Shogi, but the most important one is instructional matches. To put it another way: teaching amateurs how to play.”

“And those are lessons?”

“Yeah. We’re here today to give someone that lives close by a lesson. Someone who’s helped me out a lot over the years requested one.”

I did not come here to give a grade schooler the Kobe grand tour.

“That’s big for Sub League members whose main sources of income are recording Shogi matches and giving lessons. Part-time jobs aren’t allowed, strictly speaking. It’s a great source of income for people from the middle of nowhere like me–––.”

“Money?”

Ai freezes like a statue.

“Um …… People pay money to learn how to play Shogi ……?”

“Of course. Professionals get money for doing a job. That’s what pro means.”

“……”

Clatter! The fork in Ai’s hand falls to the table.

Then, shaking, Ai says–––.

“I haven’t paid Master any money!!” Ai yells in the middle of the café, her face pale as a ghost. Right in the middle of all these tourists.

Everyone in here is looking at us with shock in their eyes.

And they seem really interested in the two of us …… Maybe suspicious would be a better word.

Crap. I’m sweating buckets.

“No …… Ai. Don’t worry about that. Money isn’t a problem.”

“B-But! Master has been teaching me everything there is to know! Like how to do this, and the way to do that ……”

People around us are whispering to each other.

“Everything there is to know?!”

“But she’s still so young ……”

“Shouldn’t somebody report this to the police?”

Crap, crap, crap!

“And me living with you costs money, doesn’t it?! I, I’m living in Master’s room! The two of us are living together!!”

“J-Just calm down, okay? Don’t be so loud, alright?”

They’ll call the police …… yeah?

“Ghaa?! B-But what can I do?! How, how can I make the money to pay you ……?”

“No, wait. Would you listen to me?”

“I, I guess …… I have to pay with …… my body ……!”

“That was on purpose?! You’re trying to give people the wrong idea, aren’t you?!”

I pull the trembling grade schooler, fumbling with the hem of her skirt, away from the table, pay the bill and take her outside.

Then I explained to her as calmly as possible.

“…… See here. Shogi players don’t take money from apprentices. Not usually, anyway.”

“They don’t?! W-Why not ……?”

“No parent would ever take money from their own kids, right? It’s the same way with apprentices. So, you don’t need to worry about money, Ai.”

Students that come to a Shogi classroom to learn how to play and apprentices that want to become professionals are treated very differently.

The entire Shogi world considers apprentices that commit themselves entirely to the game to be their own children.

That’s exactly why only children with enough skill get taken as apprentices.

“Also, your parents are sending me money every month. Your allowance comes right out of that.”

“…… It does?”

“It pays for any clothes and any whatnots you need too.”

It’s true that I’m getting money from Ai’s parents.

I told them not to worry about it, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer. “At least let us pay for everyday expenses!” It would be rude to reject that kind of offer.

So, I did give in, but I’m putting all of it into a savings account for Ai.

She can use it to buy a really nice kimono to wear for her first title match in the Women’s League. A professional good enough to compete for multiple titles can never have enough kimonos.

And I will see to it that Ai becomes that kind of professional.

“Just make sure to say thank you over the phone next time you talk to your parents, okay?”

“I will!”

“Oh, man …… We’ve wasted so much time on this nonsense. Hurry up!”

“Right behind you, Master!!”

After taking her hand again so we don’t get separated, Ai and I took off at a sprint.

 MANSION

“He said he had one of the old European-style mansions near the port moved out here.”

Made from bricks, it sits on a hill overlooking the town, which is filled with unique Western buildings.

You can see all the way out over Kobe to the ocean from the front door. Can’t beat this view.

“That being said, he’s made quite a few changes. Installing a tatami room for Shogi matches is a given, but he also turned the roof into a beer garden.”

“Beer garden!!”

She sounds surprised, like she doesn’t completely understand …… But, growing up at an inn with a hot spring, I’m pretty sure she gets the gist.

“So, who lives in this place?”

“A novelist.”

“Really?! Master, I’ve never met an author before!”

“Is-Is that right ……?”

“What kind of books does he write?”

“…… Romance novels, I guess …… For adults ……”

“How wonderful!!”

“……”

I really don’t know how to describe the master of this house to my sparkly eyed apprentice.

His name is Dan Onizaka.

The romantic novels he writes …… are bestsellers in the sensual novel genre.

His most famous work is called Net and Meat.

As for the content, I’d like to avoid going into too much detail, but I think you’d understand what a book with a beautiful woman strung up like a slab of meat on the cover would be about.

To be blunt–––he’s a master S & M novelist.

“Well, he used to be a grade school teacher, but apparently he would turn his classes into a study hall so he could write ……”

“Wow!”

To think he was writing S & M. That little anecdote became legendary.

“But, Master. Why do you know an author who lives in a big mansion like this?”

“Onizaka-sensei is a Shogi enthusiast and, as I said before, he helped me out a lot when I was in the Sub League.”

We call people who are particularly fond of games like Shogi and Go enthusiasts. Once they find a favorite player, they take his or her lessons as a way to support them.

In sumo wrestling terms: tanimachi. They’re patrons. Apparently, Ai’s grandfather was like that as well.

“He’s been supporting me like a benefactor since I first started learning under Master Kiyotaki. He heard that I took an apprentice and said he’d be delighted to meet you.”

“Meet …… me?”

“Yeah. So, you’re the one taking center stage today, not me.”

“I am?!”

“Your first job.”

Gently teasing my surprised apprentice, we step through the front gate.

Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about bringing an elementary school girl inside this mansion owned by a man who writes scandalous novels …… Well, probably safer than someone who writes light novels. All those guys have Lolita complexes.

Onizaka-sensei prefers mature women, most of his heroines are widows and he comes off as a normal friendly geezer despite writing what he does, I reassure myself as I open the front door and …… Right there in the entrance way!!

“Master! Look at that wooden horsey!”

Ai immediately spots the triangular torture device with a horse’s head on the front and jumps for joy. I’m on the verge of panic.

“Oooh! There’s a whip on the wall over here! Oh, wow! It’s so thick! Hey, hey, Master. We can pretend we’re cowboys!”

“……Yes, we could.”

“Huh, what’s this, Master? It’s all bumpy. And there’s something weird sticking up at the bottom. What is this?”

“L-Let’s go to the back room! It’d be rude to keep Onizaka-sensei waiting! Okay?!”

“Oh-oh! M-Master! This thing dances when you press the button?!”

“Just get moving!!”

I take the dancing bumpy thing from Ai’s hand and chuck it far out of sight before the two of us follow a red carpet to a room at the back of the mansion.

Then I scream at the grinning geezer sitting in the corner, “Onizaka-sensei! What was all that?!”

“All that? How do you mean?”

“The wooden horse, the whip, that bumpy thing! Why did you put all of that in the front hallway?!”

“I did a little redecorating.”

“When?!”

“This morning.”

“You did that on purpose?!!”

Perverted geezer! Lining up all that stuff for an elementary schooler?!

“Master? Is there something wrong with putting the horsey in the front hallway?”

“You should never leave toys around!!”

“I thought a kiddo would get a kick out of them.”

Oh, she got a kick out of them all right! That’s the problem!

“Oh, okay, that’s enough chitchat. I’m itching for a game.”

“……”

Onizaka-sensei cheerfully starts setting up a Shogi board. I can’t stay mad at him, not after seeing his innocent side. I turn to face my patiently waiting apprentice to address her.

“…… Ai. You remember what I taught you, right?”

“Y-Yes!”

Once she takes a fan out of her purse, Ai sets it down in front of her knees and bows as low as she can with both hands on the tatami mat. Then, she introduces herself.

“I’m Ai Hinatsuru, a member of the Kansai Shogi Association and the Kuzuryu Shogi family tree. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance!”

“So, you’re Ai, eh?”

Onizaka-sensei’s gaze falls tenderly on Ai as my apprentice introduces herself without stuttering. I swear, that’s the face of an old man about to give his granddaughter some money.

“All right then. Shall we start without a handicap?”

“Sure! Ready when you are!!”

“You got spunk, kiddo,” said Sensei, narrowing his eyes as he made his first move. Seriously, any kid would be happy to call him grandpa when he’s like this. How could anyone so warm and friendly write perverted novels? Weird.

By the way, Onizaki-sensei is amateur 4-dan …… At least on paper. I’d say he is actually closer to 2-dan.

This disparity is because of his services to the association–––he donates so much money to help promote the game that they decided to promote him as a thank you. Doing that for famous people is an important part of the association’s diplomacy.

On the other hand, Ai is a genuine amateur 4-dan.

She can hold her ground against 5-dan players now. People that hold amateur 5-dan are in a class strong enough to represent entire prefectures in tournaments. Since most of her experience has come from Shogi puzzles and playing against people on the Internet, Ai doesn’t know how to read between the lines during a match, let alone hold back.

That’s why she put Onizaka-sensei in checkmate with ease.

“Whew, you’re good! I don’t stand a chance without a handicap.”

Even after losing, Sensei chuckles and says, “One more! Can I ask you to take away your Bishop?”

“S-Sure! Ready when you are!!”

A new match was underway as soon as the pieces were set in place. However, Ai doesn’t have the Bishop in her ranks this time.

And not having a Bishop affects a lot more on the board than just being one big piece down.

“……?!”

Ai had to catch her breath as Onizaka-sensei advances much faster than before. A smirk crawls across his lips, curling deeper than I ever thought possible.

“Surprised, are you? I’m pretty good at playing with a handicap.”

Onizaka-sensei has been playing against pro players and Support League members for decades.

In other words, he’s played hundreds of matches as the shita-te, the lower player.

Therefore, he has far more experience playing with a handicap than in even matches, against the best and brightest of the Shogi world no less. No one is better at playing as a lower player than him. Every single pro and Women’s League player Onizaka-sensei has helped out over the years, including Big Sis and myself, have suffered at the hands of this hypocritical geezer in handicap matches.

I can’t remember who it was, but they gave him the perfect alias–––Uwate-Killing Demon.

“So, what’d you think? Can’t overlook my style, now can you?”

“Keh ……!”

“Then again, being good with a handicap is nothing to hang your hat on.”

This match turned into a heated battle mostly because Ai isn’t used to being the uwa-te or upper player. Her not wanting to lose in front of her master is only compounding the pressure, I’m sure.

Was this too much ……?

But she’ll be playing more matches as the upper player as she climbs up the Practice League ranks. It’d be better to have her go through baptism of fire here and now.

With those thoughts in my head and my eyes glued to the board, someone else comes into the room and takes a seat next to me.

“I will be observing for a while.”

“Ah, sure ……”

I nod without even thinking.

It’s a man about Onizaka-sensei’s age dressed in traditional Japanese clothing.

While not very tall, he’s distinguished. Being this close, I can almost feel his presence on my skin. He’s got an air that only a man who’s been through many trials and tribulations could possess … There’s no doubt in my mind he’s spent most of his life competing. Strange people who don’t identify themselves pass through Onizaka-sensei’s mansion all the time. Maybe he plays Go? I doubt anyone that plays mahjong or chess would dress like that ……

I wanted to ask, but I restrained myself because it’s rude to start a conversation next to the board in the middle of a match.

“Now, now. With this many pieces on my side, that King should be as good as mine ……”

The late game has arrived and Onizaka-sensei is in the lead.

Ai’s defenses have been decimated, and now her only hope of victory is to advance her King into enemy territory. However, that’s going to be extremely difficult. One slightly wrong move and this match’ll be over on the spot–––.

“…… Here, here, here, hereherehereherehereherehere …… Yes!!”

Ai confidently advances her King with a path in mind.

Once she safely advanced across the board, she promptly put the lower player’s King into checkmate.

“Woah …… You’re good! Really good!”

Onizaka-sensei tosses some of his captured pieces onto the board to signal his surrender. He’s got a smile on his face, but I’m sure losing in that fashion has him burning up inside.

“You’re a head above the rest once the pieces start clashing. Never thought I’d lose from that position. I’m stunned ……”

“…… You’re a nice kiddo, Ai.”

The elderly gentleman next to me and I watch them start a review session for a moment before he strikes up a conversation in a quiet voice.

“For one so young, a girl even, to defeat a grown man benefiting from a handicap …… Mr. Onizaka informed that me a talented child was coming today, but I had no idea she’d be this good.”

“That’s because she is talented.”

“Doesn’t having that talent at your mercy frighten you?”

“Very much so. Yes.”

My body leans in by itself as I agree with every word he says.

“I’m always worried that I might do something that slows down her progress or wastes her talent. I’m constantly wondering …… if there’s a better way to teach her.”

“However I do believe you possess the same talent as she. Why not raise her the same way you developed your own talent?”

I massage my forehand and reveal what’s been tormenting me. I could never say this stuff to someone in the Shogi world. After all, there are things you can only say to people you don’t know.

“There are many different ways to improve. There’s no guarantee that studying Shogi as much as you can will bear fruit.”

“But, you’ll never get better without studying. In that case, you’ve got to find the right amount of studying for you personally, but everyone is different. In the end, I think that only the players who figure out what works for them will rise to the top of the Shogi world. That’s what makes teaching so difficult. She might regress because of how I teach.”

“Is that so?”

“Your concern shows that you care.”

“But I have to produce results. It’s that kind of world.”

“Is it now ……?”

The elderly gentleman folds his arms across his chest and looks to the floor, deep in thought.

“……To consider such details while still so young …… Now I understand why that honorable man was so insistent ……”

“What?”

“I have witnessed something wonderful today. Now, I shall take my leave–––.”

With those few words, the elderly gentleman left the room.

His farewell was so smooth that I lost my chance to ask him his name.

 RIVAL

“So, what did you think? How is Ai?”

“I think she’s got game sense. Maybe better than little miss Ginko.”

“Better than Big Sis?! D-Don’t you think that’s a little much ……?”

My elder “sister” apprentice, Ginko Sora holds two women’s titles, Queen and Women’s Throne, while holding a 2-dan ranking in the Sub League. She’s the best woman in the history of Shogi.

She herself may be a bit peeved that her flawless victory record earned her the alias Naniwa’s Snow White, but to think that Ai could be even more talented than her ……

“Yeah, but she’ll never overtake Miss Ginko at this rate.”

“Come again? …… Why is that?”

“Cause she doesn’t have a rival.”

Onizaka-sensei declares.

“That’s how it is everywhere. No one ever got good on their own. Shogi is a game for two after all. It’s that competition that drives people past their limits for the first time.”

–––Competition.

I couldn’t help but feel that he brought up something extremely important that I didn’t even notice.

“It’s important to have fun. You know what they say: ‘enjoyment is the best talent.’ But talent won’t make you good. It’s the desire to get stronger that brings out potential. And it’s that desire that makes you feel threatened when a rival might surpass you.”

“Feel threatened?”

“There aren’t any kiddos Ai’s age in Kanto or Kansai at the moment that can challenge her. But little Miss Ginko was lucky enough to have someone.”

“But, Big Sis has no rivals. Even her enemies in the Women’s League can’t–––.”

“Not a lady. You.”

“Me?”

“Very much so. Back when the two of you were runts …… You still are runts in my eyes, but that’s beside the point …… Back when you were Ai’s age, little Miss Ginko and yourself competed all the time and got better, no? I remember it like it was yesterday. The two of you sitting across the board from each other in this very house, driving each other to tears and fighting with everything you had. Those were the days.”

Sensei glances around the room as if taking a trip down memory lane.

“Little Miss Ginko has only ever had one goal, Ryuo Yaichi Kuzuryu.”

His face turns serious.

“Everything that she’s doing to become a pro isn’t because she wanted titles or to be the first in history. It’s to fight you on an even field. That’s why she’s chosen to follow the most difficult path.”

It’s true, I was the first to enter the purgatory known as the Sub League. Big Sis tested in a year later.

I pretty much followed a set path, entering the Sub League because I wanted to be like my Master, but Big Sis had the option of going into the Women’s League after the Practice League. All this time I thought that she joined the Sub League simply because Master recognized that she had enough talent to become a professional Shogi player.

Never once did it cross my mind that I might have influenced her decision ……

“But Ai though, she’s just a fledgling that idolizes you, toddling along in your footsteps. There’s no competition. That’s why she’ll never surpass little Miss Ginko the way things are now.”

“……”

“There’s nothing wrong with doting on an apprentice. Teaching all the ins and outs is how Masters show they care. But Masters also show their affection by throwing their apprentices into the fire.”

As someone who’s been involved in the Shogi world for so many years, Onizaka-sensei’s words carry a lot of weight.

I was very moved by his speech, but ……

“Master, Master! There was a broken necklace on the bathroom floor!”

That feeling instantly disappeared the moment I saw my apprentice come back holding a broken necklace with a golf ball–sized, white pendant in the middle. I snatch it out of her hands and hurl it straight at the perverted geezer.

“So how was it? Playing against Onizaka-sensei?”

“He’s really good with an advantage!”

By then it was long past time to go.

Later Ai’s competitive juices were still flowing, even after we left the mansion and made our way back to the train station. Her cheeks are still red from a match.

Now that I think about it, I don’t think she’s been that into a match since she came to Osaka.

But then again, it wasn’t anywhere near as intense as her match against Big Sis for the Practice League entrance test. Meanwhile, Onizaka-sensei’s words are stuck in my head like mud that just won’t go away.

However, I’m with my apprentice. I can’t let her see me worry, so I put some pep in my voice and say, “Got a nice chunk of change too. So why don’t we go to Chinatown and eat something good before heading home?”

“Chinese!!”

“Want anything specific?”

“Crab dumplings!!”

“Crab dumplings it is. Good, aren’t they?”

This girl loves crab. She also likes the kani kakoi crab formation strategy.

“Cra-bby! Crab, crab, crabby♪”

Watching her dance around, snapping her fingers in the air like scissors this way, part of me thinks I don’t need to be strict and send her to the Shogi wolves. She’ll get plenty strong growing up as a carefree, naïve spirit, and that might be the best thing for her–––.

My smartphone buzzes just as that thought crossed my mind.

“Master? Someone’s calling you. Shouldn’t you answer?”

“It’s fine. The number isn’t registered.”

Taking a quick look at the screen, I have no idea who is calling so I just put the phone back in my pocket.

“This happens all the time. Strange phone calls.”

“People you don’t know call you on your phone?”

“Yeah. While I have no idea how they get my number in the first place. Some people avoid the association and contact me directly to do TV spots without an appointment, sometimes it’s a prank call and others: it’s your regular Shogi fan. It’s pretty much always one of those. One guy asked me how to beat anaguma with a shiken bisha, Fourth File Rook, not too long ago.”

“You can say that again. That guy should’ve asked someone who plays Ranging Rook.”

“……”

I received a threatening call from one of Big Sis’s diehard fans saying, “Break up with Ginko! ‘Cause someone’s gonna die if you don’t! Me!!” a while back ……

I told him, “Somebody’d die if they were dating that! Me!!” and hung up right away. I wonder if that guy is still alive.

“Hmm …… This guy just doesn’t know when to quit.”

“He just keeps calling (>-<).”

The answering machine picks up each time I ignore it, but he dials again rather than leave a message. Haven’t dealt with anyone this insistent in a long time.

It’s gotta be some shady character with a few screws loose in the head. A Ranging Rook player for sure.

It’s getting on my nerves, so I decide to pick up. I answered in a way that would let them know I’m not happy.

“Yes?”

“Good afternoon. Am I correct in assuming this is Mr. Yaichi Kuzuryu’s cell phone?”

Hearing a calm male voice on the other end of the line douses my fire a bit, but I can’t let him walk all over me.

Since my own apprentice is right here (mouthing “Go get him, Master” and trying to strike an intimidating crab pose), I decide to be a good example on how to deal with annoying phone calls and speak as calmly as possible.

“And who might you be? Isn’t it common courtesy to introduce yourself first?”

“Why yes, how rude of me. My name is Tsukimitsu.”

“Tsukimitsu? Could you be more specific?”

“The Japan Shogi Association chairman, Seiichi Tsukimitsu.”

The phone falls from my hand.

“Master? You, um, dropped your phone.”

I stand there for a moment absolutely stunned as my apprentice looks at me in disbelief before I finally pick it up. My hands are shaking ……

 A SUMMONS

Located on the third floor, it’s always filled with pro players, Women’s League players, Sub League members and journalists burning the midnight oil. It’s a place where members of the Kansai Shogi world come together to practice and encourage each other in practice groups.

Big Sis and I are in here doing just that, playing practice Shogi.

“Say, Big Sis.”

“…… What?”

Each of us only has ten seconds to make a move, so the clicks come one after another as I look up at her face and try to make it seem like I’m striking up small talk.

“How often do you work with the Practice League these days?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No reason in particular.”

“Then don’t ask.”

Conversation over. But I can’t give up now.

I couldn’t get everything Onizaka-sensei said yesterday out of my head even after I got home.

Just how am I supposed to raise Ai?

Masters also show their affection by throwing their apprentices into the fire.

His words reminded me of something I heard about in the past.

There was a time when it was said that Shogi Masters only played against their apprentices twice.

The first was when they first took them as an apprentice. It was to measure their abilities firsthand.

The second was when they retired from the Sub League without going pro.

And it’s said that the Master let their apprentice win.

You may not become a professional, but you’ve improved so much since you started.

It was a confidence booster——all so they could make a fresh start in a new world.

Big Sis and I have each played thousands of matches against Master. It’s considered common practice for Masters to take a hands-on approach in teaching their apprentices these days.

But I love this story because it just hits you right in your feelings.

I understand this now that I’m a Master myself. Making an apprentice fend for themselves is much more difficult than giving them special treatment.

Unfortunately, pro Shogi players are extremely isolated. There’s no one that can help you in the middle of a match. No one can get better if they’re always protected.

Only those with self-driven strength to improve can become strong.

There’s this one …… huge obstacle in the way.

But she’s more than just cute.

Ai does housework. She’s not selfish. She always tries her best and is damn cute for it.

“Is there anything you’d like?”

When I asked her, she fidgeted a little bit before saying, “I want to play Shogi with you, Master ……”

How about that? Just what is this cute creature? She’s just too lovable! No matter how strict anyone tells me to be with her, it’s just not possible! How could you help but give her a treat?!

That’s why I’ll always instinctively hold back and never be able to push her to the edge, and I bet Ai will never get that I’ll win no matter what it takes! feeling playing against me. A Master can never be a rival.

That’s where Big Sis comes in.

Knowing her, she’d push Ai to tears without a second thought. Ai’s thirst for revenge after the Practice League test will bring out her best, for sure. A grudge match like that will become a duel to the death.

“Then again …… Big Sis might ……”

“…… Hold up. Huh? What are you blabbering about?”

There’s absolutely no way that Big Sis would help out with Ai’s training even if I asked her. There’s nothing in it for her.

Plus, she always tries to break her opponent’s spirit, practice match or not. There’s a very real risk that she’d destroy my precious apprentice.

That’s a problem. A big problem.

So, I decided I would try to figure out the secrets behind how she became this superwoman Shogi machine for the time being. That might give me some ideas.

“Big Sis, how’d you get so good at Shogi?”

“Playing Shogi.”

“Well, yes, I get that, but there’s something more, right? Doing Shogi puzzles, replaying Shogi records, a certain way that you studied?”

“Playing Shogi.”

“B …… But just doing matches all the time, don’t you hit a wall at some point? I’m trying to ask what to do at times like that ……”

“Play Shogi.”

“You’re right. Playing Shogi is the best answer. But, you know, what about those times when nothing seems to work no matter what you do? When that happens–––.”

“Play Shogi.”

“What if you’re in a slump–––?”

“Play Shogi.”

“I was stupid for even trying to ask ……”

“Wanna be laid out on the slab?”

Tempers flaring, our match became just as fiery. Stubbornly pressing forward, our hands are moving so fast they bump into each other over and over again as I squeak out a victory. How’d you like that, Ginko!

“Ryuo.”

“Yes?”

A voice came from behind me as if someone had been waiting for our match to finish.

As to the certain someone that called me out of the blue, it was–––.

“…… Ms. Oga?”

“One’s name is thus.”

Sasari Oga. A female association staff member, a secretary to be exact.

She used to be a Women’s League player, but had to retire as a 1-dan.

She’s in her early twenties if I remember right, but her bad win-loss record forced her out of the league. The same is true for the main leagues, but the world of women’s Shogi is fierce.

“Ryuo. I apologize for bothering you during practice but–––.”

“Oh, yes. It’s about that, right?”

I stand up from my chair and Big Sis glares at me.

“So, you’re just going to win and dash?”

“My apologies, twin title holder. The chairman summons.”

“Well, you heard her.”

“…… Drop dead.”

I turn my back on Big Sis’s curse and follow Ms. Oga out of the Player’s Room. Winning and dashing feels awesome.

 THE 17TH

“One’s name is thus.”

Not really sure how to ask, so I tried to get some information out of the woman who was walking in front of me.

“Well …… it’s, you know? I was just wondering if you could tell me anything before I speak to the chairman to, you know, put my mind at ease a little bit ……”

“One is not privy to that information.”

Shot down right then and there.

However, I know for a fact she’s lying.

“Don’t be like that. There’s nothing in this world you don’t know about, isn’t that right? You’ll tell me, won’t you?”

“……”

Ms. Oga stops walking.

Since her position as the chairman’s secretary sends her back and forth between the Kanto and Kansai branches of the Shogi Association, rumor has it she knows exactly what’s happening in the Shogi world at all times.

Also, her position allows her to review all documents that the chairman needs to see due to special circumstances.

The chairman has so much faith in this former Women’s League player, who knows everything from the public face to the inner workings of the Shogi world, that it’s rumored she does most of the job herself.

All this leads to her nickname—the Shadow Don.

“Then I propose an exchange of information.”

She said with a quick turn to face me. Exchange? What information?

“A survey that involves you, Ryuo, has been secretly making its way around the association staff and registered players.”

“About me? What kind of survey?”

“Predicting who will become your bride.”

“Come again?”

“There are three candidates: your Master’s daughter, your elder sister apprentice and your elementary school aged live-in apprentice. Here is the data thus far.”

Ms. Oga holds out her smartphone like it contains every secret in the world.

Keika Kiyotaki: 2 Votes

Ginko Sora: 17 Votes

Elementary School Girl: 163 Votes

“Huh? What the heck is this?! Just what kind of survey is it?! And why is the elementary school girl crushing the competition?!”

“It’s designed to find your best match: your relationship with the candidates, how the candidates treat you and what type of woman you find most attractive. Those elements were all considered to achieve these results. It is one’s assessment.”

“So that means everyone thinks I’ve got a Lolita complex?! The entire Shogi Association?!”

“I’m saying nothing of the sort, only that it’s possible to draw that conclusion from the collected data.”

“What other conclusions are there?!”

“So? In reality, who would you choose?”

Ms. Oga asks as she leans in close to me. I can feel her breath on my face.

“Heh-heh. So, one’s feminine wiles were too much for you ……?”

“No, it wasn’t that.”

“Now I see. So, it’s true you only show interest in elementary school girls.”

“Why’d you jump to that conclusion?! What grounds do you have?!”

“Keep your voice down. We’re in front of the chairman’s office.”

“……”

As the Shadow Don ignores me, I shut up and she knocks on the door before announcing our presence.

“This is Oga. I’ve brought the Ryuo.”

“Come in.”

A crisp voice comes from inside the office. Ms. Oga opens the door and I step into the chairman’s office.

And inside that room–––I stand before a legend.

“It’s been far too long. I don’t believe we’ve spoken since the Ryuo crowning ceremony.”

“Please relax. I haven’t called you here today to scold you.”

A living, breathing legend directs me to a sofa and says with a tint of humor in his voice, “And besides, you outrank me now, yes? Ryuo Yaichi Kuzuryu.”

Eternal Meijin–––only people that have held the title of Meijin, one of the Shogi world’s titles that ranks as high as Ryuo, for more than five consecutive seasons are allowed to keep their title when they retire.

There have only been seventeen of them since Soukei Oohashi in the early 1600s–––and the man in front of me is number seventeen.

Be that as it may, he is still very much a pro Shogi player with an A ranking.

He should be about the same age as my 50-something-year-old Master, Kousuke Kiyotaki 9-dan, but his lean frame makes him look barely a day over thirty. Simply put, they don’t look the same age at all …

Moonlight.

That’s how people describe the chairman’s playing style.

His beacon of light first appeared on the Shogi scene when he became the second junior high school pro Shogi player in history. He then proceeded to advance through C2, C1, B2, B1 and A rankings in all leagues without losing a match and was approved as the fastest and youngest Meijin ever.

Attacking like moonlight seeping through the cracks of a wall, he always found the fastest way to checkmate.

It’s said that pro players hoped for a quick death rather than to hold out against the chairman when he went on the attack.

That’s because it’ll leave behind a beautiful record.

But his sense of aesthetics goes far beyond other players. He’s even thrown in the towel, joking that he “let the fastest checkmate get away” before in a must-win match.

He introduced speed into a Shogi world that valued strong defense above all else, a genius that practically built the foundation of the modern Shogi scene by himself. None other than Seiichi Tsukimitsu 9-dan.

But the god that granted him this light also took light away from him at the same time.

Blind Shogi Prodigy.

What’s even more impressive and awe-inspiring when talking about Seiichi Tsukimitsu than becoming the youngest and fastest Meijin in history is the fact that despite being blinded by an illness in his twenties, he still maintains his position as a top Shogi player.

Even professionals who have a Shogi board in their mind struggle to defeat another pro without being able to see the board all …… It might be better to say damn near impossible. But he took on that impossibility with a crisp, calm face and continues to compete at the A level to this day. While the current Meijin has a considerable lead on him in terms of titles, there are many who still swear that Seiichi Tsukimitsu is the best to ever play the game.

What would a living legend like him want with me–––?

“I would like you to accept an apprentice.”

…… Did I hear that right?

“She’s the granddaughter of a man who has made many generous contributions to the Shogi world for many years. The girl is nine and in the fourth grade.”

“W-Wait just a minute please! Why me ……? Why would you ask me?!”

“You like them, right? Elementary school girls.”

“Wha-wha-wha-what are you talking about?! I’m not like that at all?!”

“I’m only joking. He made the request.”

Joking around with a stoic face like that’ll give me a heart attack. Please, no more …

“It seems the girl in question refuses to become an apprentice to anyone without a current A rank or title in their possession.”

There are only three people registered with the Kansai Association with titles right now: the man in front of me, Chairman Tsukimitsu, Worldly Maestro King Mitsuru Oishi, and me, the Ryuo.

Now if we were talking Women’s Titles, Big Sis has two of them and there’s Yamashiro Ouka and Machi Kugui, but they don’t even seem to be part of the equation. Well, Big Sis couldn’t take an apprentice anyway because she’s in the Sub League.

“My duties as chairman keep me very busy, so accepting an apprentice would be rather difficult. Mr. Oishi is currently on a ritual journey through Kyushu to prepare for his A rank league placement matches. He’s unreachable.”

“Oh … Is it that time of year again?”

Mr. Oishi has been going on these temple treks ever since his Sub League days and has become something like a seasonal clock for the Kansai Shogi world.

The league that determines who will challenge the current Meijin–––the placement matches start in June.

There aren’t many matches at all in April and May, so it’s a long spring break for pro Shogi players.

“That and Mr. Oishi isn’t the type to take an apprentice.”

“So, me?”

“I heard that you recently took an apprentice of your own. An elementary school girl at that.”

Ai is a great girl, a Shogi whiz kid that can cook and clean. Basically, she’s the super apprentice. But even still, she’s in elementary school girl, so I need to be very attentive. The fact that she is a live-in apprentice further complicates things.

Like a much younger sister … Nah, I’d say it’s more like I suddenly have a daughter.

Trying to imagine adding another one into the mix is making me dizzy. And there’s no doubt that everyone would think I’ve got a thing for little girls …… I deny it, but more girls keep showing up …… I can’t talk my way out of that one ……

“Please don’t think on this too hard.”

The chairman asks the impossible with a face as crisp as the moon in the night sky.

“A two-hour lesson once or twice a week at her residence in Kobe will suffice. Consider it an extra lesson on your schedule. That’s not much of the change, is it?”

“Just until the placement matches in June, or even until she takes the Practice League test in May. That is fine. She can be registered as my apprentice on paper.”

“……”

It’s practically unheard of for someone to take a live-in apprentice like Ai these days. A “dry” relationship between master and apprentice where the only connection is on paper and they never play against each other is actually pretty common. If I fit her into my lesson schedule, it won’t be that big of a deal.

“They’re offering a bonus for accepting the job. I will handle the public side of things, but would you be willing to meet the girl at the very least?”

“…… Understood. I’ll go have a look for myself.”

I can’t possibly say no to the chairman if he’s going to push this much. He’s cleverly cut off all my escape routes.

This conversation would turn out to have a great impact on my life as well as the Shogi world as a whole …… but I had no idea at the time. No one could’ve ever predicted what was about to happen.

Except for one person–––Seiichi Tsukimitsu.

 YASHAJIN

“…… What even is that?”

Kobe, Nada Ward.

An exquisite manor stands in an expensive residential area at the base of Mt. Rokkou. Practically a fortress. A mountain in its own right.

“T …… this is Kobe? This whole thing is on one plot of land ……?”

“Oi.”

“?!”

A voice snaps like a whip behind me. I turn around and see a woman wearing a black suit and sunglasses standing at attention.

A young, beautiful woman with a good sense of style … However, she’s clearly not some friendly neighbor. This could be bad.

“Yaichi Kuzuryu-sensei …… Are you not?”

“He’s my twin brother.”

“Funny.”

The sunglass-wearing beauty grabs my shoulder and steers me through the front gate before I could squeal in a fright.

“Sensei has arrived!”

The other side of the gate may as well have been a different world …

A whole group of people in black suits and sunglasses are standing on either side of the gravel path that travels through the front lawn. Every single one of them is bowing, their hands on their knees, and saying, “Welcome, Sensei!!” at the same time.

I thought this kind of thing only happened in movies ……! It’s terrifying ……!

What’s more.

Boom! Boom! Thundering echoes that don’t belong in expensive residential areas ring out.

“T-Taiko drums?!”

–––It’s said that really fancy inns would greet players and customers with Taiko drums when they would “camp” overnight for title matches back in the old days of the Shogi world.

But never in a million years did I think I’d show up at some average guy’s place to give a lesson and hear Taiko drums instead of the doorbell. Then again, there’s no way this is just some average guy’s place!

“Sensei, the lord of the manor awaits. Please go inside.”

“I’m feeling a little queasy.”

“Go.”

“Okay ……”

I start to walk and am ushered forward from behind.

What was waiting for me on the other side of the tiger pelt laying on the floor as a doormat was–––.

“How wonderful to see you again, Kuzuryu-sensei.”

“?! You’re ……!”

“Kouten Yashajin, lord of this manor.”

It was the elderly gentleman I talked to at Onizaka-sensei’s mansion.

“I apologize for not introducing myself at Mr. Onizaka’s residence.”

In that moment, the real reason Onizaka-sensei contacted me clicked.

It wasn’t so that he could meet Ai. Well, I’m sure that was part of it but–––.

“…… You were watching me, rather than my apprentice, weren’t you?”

“Both Chairman Tsukimitsu and Mr. Onizaka spoke very highly of you.”

“They did ……?”

“Indeed. Both claimed that there could be no better instructor for my granddaughter. Please, if you’ll follow me–––.”

I follow Mr. Yashajin down a completely spotless hallway. I briefly considered making a run for it, but after noticing that the sun-glassed beauty was right behind me, I realized that was impossible.

Mr. Yashajin comes to a stop up ahead, right in front of a traditional sliding door that depicts an angel and a demon.

“Allow me to introduce you to her, my granddaughter, Ai.”

“Ai?”

He slides open the door to reveal–––.