Moment of Truth

 TODAY, IN CLASS 4-2

“Uh-huh ……”

Kita-Fukushima Elementary School, in Osaka’s Fukushima Ward.

The school is in the same shopping district where Ai lives with her Master.

And in the fourth year, class two classroom, young Ai Hinatsuru approached her classmate Mio with a downcast look on her face in hopes of getting advice.

“How so?”

“… He started to do new lessons recently … But I think he’s hiding something.”

Ai spoke as if the dam that keeps her worry at bay had broken. She unloaded everything at once.

“You see? Master says that it’s all old men where he goes to teach. But, you know? When I washed his clothes the other day …… they smelled like women’s perfume. And you know what else? He doesn’t wear a suit when he goes there, just regular clothes. And they’re fancier clothes than when we go out together. He comes home later every time he goes and he got scared when I asked him if he was hiding something ……See, Mio? What do you think it could be?”

“A woman.”

That extremely confident declaration didn’t come from Mio, but the girl the top of the class’s social pyramid, Mihane.

“That happens all the time in comics and movies, and it’s always another woman. He’s cheating, cheating for sure.”

Mihane’s opinion held sway over every girl in the class. Her word was final. The other girls standing around them started nodding, saying “For sure,” and agreeing with everything Mihane said.

“T-That couldn’t be! Kujuryu-sensei could never get a girlfriend!”

Mio offered a counter argument to Mihane’s opinion.

Keeping an eye on Ai as the girl slipped even further into depression, Mio put power behind every syllable as she declared, “He’s not exactly the cutest boy, not even close! His fashion sense is horrible! And he doesn’t care about anything other than Shogi!!”

“………”

“Ah! I-I didn’t mean it like that, Ai! I don’t think Kujuryu-sensei is uncool or ugly or anything like that?! But in general–––.”

“That’s exactly my point. Men that can’t resist women fall for the weird ones so fast it’s not even funny!”

“………”

“C-Calm down, Ai! You look like you’re about to kill someone?!”

“Huh?!”

Only then did Ai notice that her intimidating aura was making most of the girls around her cry.

Class 4-2 was on the brink of pandemonium for a brief moment.

“S-Sorry …… was I that scary?”

“Your eyes, they looked like they belonged to an assassin …”

Ai had spent many hours in battles of life and death against adult men over a Shogi board. Normal elementary school girls can’t take that kind of intensity and end up crying.

Having been around Shogi players competing at the highest level, her aura was overwhelming. Mio, a full-fledged fourth-grade girl, nearly had an accident when she took it head on.

“… I’m really sorry, everyone. But, I’m fine ……”

“Really? Ai, are you really sure you’re okay?”

“Yep! Oh, and Mio?”

“Yeah?”

“Doesn’t your father work with medicine and stuff like that?”

“Yeah. Papa works for a pharmacy.”

“Do you know how to buy a truth serum?”

“… What?”

“Think my allowance will be enough?”

“Uh …… Umm? Ai ……?”

She was serious. Her eyes were burning.

Mio was utterly shocked.

Ai would surely drug Kuzuryu-sensei’s food at this rate. Should the current Ryuo’s blind passion result in an elementary school girl poisoning him, the Shogi world would come to an end. The tabloids would have a field day speculating about what had actually happened. The association’s darkest hour was upon them.

I-I must do something! I have to find a way to get her mind off this, because if I don’t …

Mio thought about it as hard as she could and came up with an idea.

“Oh, I know! Why don’t we go to a different Shogi classroom today rather than the association?”

“In the city ……?”

“Yep! It will be fun to go someplace different! Have you been anywhere else, Ai?”

“I’ve been to Master’s Master …… my Grand Master’s classroom, the Noda Shogi Center—but nowhere else.”

“There are Shogi classrooms all over Osaka! I’ll take you to the one where I started playing! We can invite Ayano and Charlette too! Let’s play until the sun goes down!”

“Uh …… Uh-huh.”

Ai couldn’t help but nod along with Mio’s infectious energy.

Master said that Osaka is dangerous …… That I shouldn’t play anywhere other than the association or Grand Master’s place without getting his permission first, but …

Ai hesitated for a moment, unsure. However, she quickly realized that she didn’t have to be.

Because–––.

Master is going places without telling me!

 APPRENTICES

“Sh!”

I scold Ai Yashajin as she looks around the Shogi classroom, spewing complaints left and right.

She’s not wrong …… It’s just there’s no one here.

“We’re in the business district. Most of the clientele are office workers, so no one’s here yet.”

“Okay …”

Careful not to make eye contact with the person at the front desk, I pay the entrance fee and get everything set up as quickly as possible. Maybe it’s because of my disguise, but no one recognized me this time either. I don’t want to think it’s because I’m just not that popular.

New World was closed today, so we decided to go to a Shogi classroom in Higashi Umeda for today’s lesson but–––.

“I’ve heard that lots of skilled amateurs who are good enough to appear on the national stage come to this place, but I should’ve known it would be mostly empty now on weekdays …”

It’s bright in here and everything is clean, completely different from our usual place …… But there’s no point in coming to a classroom if no one is there.

“So, what now?”

“What the heck. Let’s play.”

“What? Then what are we doing here?”

“For the atmosphere.”

I guide the rather perturbed Ai to a seat and start lining up plastic pieces on a heavily used Shogi board with all sorts of scratches and blemishes on the surface.

“I want to see how far you’ve come. No need for handicap.”

“! …… I’m ready.”

She made the first move and guided the match into a Bishop Exchange, making all sorts of intricate moves far beyond the average grade schooler one after another.

I take my time, thoroughly analyzing each move before going on the offensive and crushing her to a pulp.

“Kh ……! T-There aren’t any moves left ……”

“Nope. Good game.”

Once Ai forces those words out and admits defeat, I’m once again struck by how talented she is.

“But yes …… You’ve gotten better. I thought you would, but I didn’t think you’d improve this much so fast.”

“… What’s that supposed to mean? Saying that after winning by so much. Sarcasm?”

“Far from it.”

I force a smile and say, “It only feels like a lot because you’re reading the board the same way I was. Let me tell you, elementary schoolers that can read the board like a pro are hard to find. Harder still, an elementary schooler who is good at defense–––.”

That’s when it hit me, how strange those words were.

Yes. Children that can defend are unique.

Just like my apprentice, Ai, most children want to attack. It’s just how they are … So it’s hard for me to believe that a kid who almost never played against another person would naturally become a defensive player.

Talent–––. This quandary is too big to solve with just one word, but she most definitely has it.

“Ai, you …… Did you learn how to play Shogi from your parents?”

“… I did.”

“What were they like? Were they really good at the game, perhaps?”

“……”

“I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve seen your style of Shogi somewhere. Strong defense …… but it’s not like the King is protected by a fortress. It’s pretty rare for amateurs to pull that off while playing Static Rook …… And I hardly ever see an elementary school girl do a Bishop Exchange, even in Practice League. Typically, that’s what a pro would–––.”

That’s when I noticed that Ai was looking down into her lap, as if trying to endure something during my rambling.

“Ah! S-Sorry. If you don’t want to think about it, you don’t have to say anything …… I’m sorry.”

“…… It’s not that, I can’t talk about them ……”

Her voice is heavy, eyes still glued to her lap.

Now I’ve done it …… How could I be so careless?

Asking that kind of question is no different from driving a stake into Ai’s heart.

She’s a little girl, still in elementary school, and I asked her about her dead parents ……

“…… My mother, she was all right but not that strong ……,” said Ai, barely above a whisper. “But my father was the amateur Meijin.”

“H-He was? Then he must’ve been amazing ……”

Still in shock at how badly I messed up, it took all I had to get those words out.

…… If he was an amateur Meijin, then there should be a record of his matches somewhere. I should check the old match records and Shogi magazine articles next time I’m at the association. I might find some answers.

Yashajin …… amateur Meijin …… While I know I’ve heard that name somewhere before, I couldn’t bring myself to press Ai for any more answers and silently started a review session for the game we’d just played. That’s all I could do, just move pieces around with her. Even without words, we can communicate our feelings as long as we have Shogi pieces.

Snap.

Snap.

Intermittent echoes bounced around our private Shogi classroom.

Our silent review session continued for a while, but once we ran out of places to review, Ai said under her breath, “… She’s late. Akira.”

“Probably having trouble finding a parking spot. And the streets around here make no sense ……”

“Maybe ……”

Then, Ai suddenly asks with vigor, “So, can you teach me how to move the pieces?”

“? That’s what I’ve been doing.”

“Not that way. I’m asking how to make that clean snap, Kuzu.”

“Watch it. I’m your instructor, call me Sensei.”

“Fine, fine, Kuzu-sensei.”

Ai can be such a brat, but I can tell she is making an effort. Doesn’t act like it …… But, she’s a good girl.

“Like this, see? Hold the piece like this and …… like this.”

Snap! A rich echo shoots through the air. Even a worn-out plastic piece like this can make that sound in the hands of the pro. Armatures sound completely different.

“Like this?”

Clink. That sound was adorable.

“At least try, would you?”

“I am trying!” Ai angrily snaps at me, her face bright red. “I’m trying …… but I can’t press down because of the pieces that are in the way …”

“Just put it down on the piece behind it.”

“Huh!? Is that allowed ……?”

“Pros do it all the time. Haven’t you heard sn-snap! while watching a match or during a replay before?”

“… It sounds like that?”

“Yes, it does. It’s because the player puts the piece on top of the one behind it and slides it into position. That’s why there are two snaps.”

“Okay then. Like this?”

C-clink. I don’t know how, but that was even more adorable than before.

“You are …… surprisingly clumsy.”

“I have a name you know.”

“Well, what should I call you? My lady?”

“………”

She looks off to the side, mumbling under her breath, “… You can call me Ai.”

“Ah, that’s a no can do.”

“Huh?! I’m giving you permission to call me by my first name?! Who do you think you are, refusing an honor like that?! Trash! Kuzu trash kuzu!!”

“That’s my apprentice’s name! Your name, age and gender are the same!!”

“………!”

Ai puckers her tiny lips and suddenly falls silent.

Then she asked me a question as she carefully searched for the right words.

“The Ryuo’s apprentice, I see. And what series of events led the Ryuo to come and take such an apprentice?”

“It wasn’t a series of events, more like a straight line. We first met at the title match, but I completely forgot about it. Then she showed up at my place out of the blue, and now we live together–––.”

“You what?! L-live together?! Your apprentice is a girl, yes?!”

“A girl, but she’s still in elementary school. And yes, live-in apprentices are rare these days but ……”

“Heh, humph …… What do I care. I really don’t care at all!”

Ai made absolutely sure I knew she “didn’t care” before flicking her long black hair back and saying, “So? She’s good?”

“Very.”

“………!”

“But, you’re better in terms of early game knowledge.”

For now––– I managed to swallow those words before they came out.

I’ve seen Ai Yashajin’s playing style up close and personal for a while now …… Her talent is on par with my apprentice.

Ai Hinatsuru plays offensive Shogi.

With an ability to read the board that borders on abuse, she charges her opponent and ruthlessly strikes them down in the blink of an eye. What’s more is that her amazing memory allows her to recall any pattern she’s seen before, even if it’s just once. Combining that memory with her reading skills, she can read faster and deeper into the match every time she plays.

On the other hand, Ai Yashajin plays defensively.

With sophisticated early game strategy and the ability to analyze the entire board in minute detail, she can steadily build herself up to a point as if it were second nature.

Plus, now that she’s polished her courage and gamesmanship by going to Shogi classrooms and parlors around the city, she can keep a cool head no matter what ploys or tricky strategies come her way. To be more precise, she’s learning how to use an opponent’s own moves against them. In other words, a counterpunch. Now that’s powerful.

If Ai Hinatsuru is the ultimate blade, Ai Yashajin is the ultimate shield.

Who’ll come out on top when these opposites in terms of playing style and personality collide? I can’t wait to find out.

I can’t wait, but …

“… How am I going to explain this ……?”

“Huh,” I hear Ai say in a slightly apprehensive voice as I put my head in my hands and suddenly lean over the board.

Why did I lie like that back at the beginning ……? But my apprentice changes whenever I say another girl’s name, becomes ice cold …… and she won’t make any curry for me ……

“What if I tried like this?” Kr-link. “Hmm ……” Clack. “Huh? That’s strange ……” Click.

“What?! You cut that out! I’m trying to think here, so would you please be quiet?!!”

“What’s the problem with practicing Shogi in a Shogi classroom?!”

I snap at her, and she snaps right back at me. There’s no one else here, so the guy behind the counter doesn’t say anything.

“How many times are you going to have to make those weak clicks to figure it out?! It’s like this!!”

I stand up and circle around behind her–––.

“Grab the piece with your fingers like this.”

“?!”

Standing right behind her, I wrap my right hand around hers. Shudder! Her shoulders jump.

Then, it hits me.

Her hand …… is tiny.

I always forget because she talks like an adult and plays a great game of Shogi, but Ai is still in elementary school.

One who’s lost both her parents and only has her grandfather left. A very sad girl ……

“What …… should I do with my hand ……?”

“Oh. Yeah, like I was saying …… like this, okay? Just like this ……”

Snap!

It sounded like a kernel of popcorn just popped the board.

“… Got it?”

“Y-Yes ……”

I can’t see her face since I’m standing behind her. Can’t see her ears or neck either because her long black hair is in the way but …… her hand feels surprisingly warm under mine.

“I got it …… But one more time, just to make sure–––.”

“Hi there!!”

Then.

An energetic kid’s voice shattered the tranquil atmosphere in the classroom, echoing back and forth.

“Mister, I brought some friends from school today! Are there two open tables?!”

“Open, heck, only one is taken ……”

“Yay! We’ve got the place to ourselves! Come on everyone, let’s go♪”

“Thank you, sir.”

“H-Hello ……”

“Thank you.”

Even more high-pitched voices followed the energetic one.

All of them girls’ voices.

And pretty young at that, tiny––– yes, elementary school girl voices.

I hear them coming in from behind me, chatting amongst themselves as they come inside. Zing! The floodgates open, releasing a river of sweat down my back.

“It looked rather small from the outside, but it’s bigger than I thought in here.”

“You’re right. And it’s so clean too ……”

“Let’s pway lots of Shogi!”

Every single one of the voices sounds familiar. Actually I knew who they belonged to right away.

I knew …… but I didn’t want it to be true.

My body, however, reacted immediately. In addition to never-ending chills and a deluge of sweat, my knees start shaking.

“Is something wrong? Your hand is very sweaty.”

She looks up at me, eyebrow raised in suspicion.

I look like I’m going to cry, probably. She flinches the moment our eyes meet.

That’s when …

“Huh? Isn’t that guy–––?” one of the girls says in a curious voice.

Then …… I felt their gazes hit me like a truck.

I slowly look over my shoulder, neck creaking like a machine that ran out of oil, and see–––.

“… Master?”

My apprentice was looking right at me.

 MOMENT OF TRUTH

Those were the first words to shoot out of my mouth.

My apprentice is looking at me, standing in the doorway of the classroom and slumping like a string-less puppet, all light gone from her eyes.

Her pupils are huge. Holy crap, that’s terrifying.

“T-This is …… work! Work that the chairman himself asked me to do, so I had no choice but to give this girl lessons. I had to take this job–––.”

“Had to …… had to hold her hand?”

“I-I’m not!!”

I shove Ai’s hand out from under mine.

So here I am, my hands in the air like a bank teller during a holdup, facing my apprentice and unable to think out of pure shock. But I have to keep talking. I don’t think I’ve ever been under this much pressure, not even when forced to react to a move I didn’t see coming with only seconds to read the situation.

“I, I-I-I-I wasn’t holding her hand! She asked me to teach her how to snap the pieces down onto the board so I did what I had to do …… It was part of the lesson! I only touched her hand because the lesson called for it!!”

“Lesson?”

My apprentice said in a flat, monotone voice with her insanely dilated pupils locked onto me. She didn’t blink, not once.

“Master …… You said that your new student was a bald old man, didn’t you? I don’t see any bald people. And your student doesn’t look like an old man. That’s a girl, right? That’s a girl about my age, yes? And a cute one too, yes? Is holding hands with cute girls part of your lessons, Master? Is that the kind of work the Ryuo does?”

“No, yes. Would you listen?”

“Why did you lie? You know that people only tell lies when they feel guilty, don’t you? It means they know they’re doing something wrong, so they lie, yes? Master lied when I said that I wouldn’t get angry so tell me what you’re doing with that girl, which means that Master definitely did something to make you lie to me about doing things like holding hands and being too friendly with another girl you liar, liar, liar, liarliarliarliarlairliar.”

“R-Really, we’ve only been playing Shogi! What do I have to do to get you to believe me?!”

“I will torture you.”

My apprentice’s declaration harkened back to the Middle Ages.

“Since Master won’t be honest anymore, I will get answers with pain and fear. It’s not something I want to do, but Master lies, so I don’t have a choice, do I? As much as I hate to do it, I’ll ask Auntie for help–––.”

She’s going to tell Big Sis about this?! Don’t even joke about that!!

“H-Hey, Ai! Would you please say something! Tell her that this is just a Shogi lesson, as you have no intention of becoming my apprentice and–––.”

“Ohhh? So, this ordinary, airheaded girl with a tooth missing is your apprentice, Sensei?”

“?!”

Ai Yashajin then steps right into my chest, more than likely on purpose, with a devilish smile on her face and starts stoking the fire.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Ai Yashajin. As you have seen, Yaichi-sensei has been teaching me all sorts of ins and outs. Isn’t, that right? Sensei♡”

“Ai …… Yashajin. Ai ……?”

“That’s right. So, we both have the same name. Is that a coincidence? Or is it perhaps …… He got bored of the first Ai? What a cruel teacher you have!”