After suffering three consecutive losses in the Ryuo battle, Kuzuryu transformed into a seething mass of rage, living under the delusion that the entire world was his enemy. Consequently, I ended up being the one to accompany Ai to the Mynavi finals. Shogi is truly a terrifying game; the psychological toll of losing is devastating.
It seems it was decided that Ai would be entrusted to Master Kiyotaki's care. In the midst of this, Kuzuryu attempted to sever the master-disciple bond, leaving Ai to break down in tears.
(Playing a match against the Women's Tamasho titleholder the very next day... represents a terrible set of circumstances. If Ai suffers a crushing defeat in this state, Kuzuryu's spirit will be utterly extinguished.) (Oki)
(This is the major breaking point resulting from Tenai not being Kuzuryu's disciple. Ai isn't just silent; her tear-stained face, wretched with misery, makes her look like a walking corpse. This is dangerous.) (Ai)
"That is why... I must win at any cost. I told my master that. I said: Please, watch my match today." (Ai)
"Yes, yes. Stop repeating yourself. How many times are you going to cry before the match? Come here, I'll wipe your tears. Turn your face this way." (Tenai)
Undoubtedly, the relationship between Ai and Tenai is not as toxic here as it was in the "original story." In fact, seeing Tenai try to encourage Ai, I feel her buried kindness is gradually surfacing. ...Hmm? Is it possible they are actually more compatible here than in the original timeline?
The Mynavi Women's Open finals are held in the "Unkaku" hall on the fourth floor of the Shogi Kaikan in Tokyo. Tenai entered saying "Excuse me" without bowing, striding confidently to take the lower seat (shimozha). Since Tenai holds the rank of 1-kyu in the Shoreikai and her opponent, Toryu Karin, is a 2-kyu, this created a moment of awkwardness.
"Since your rank is higher, please take the upper seat (kamiza)." (Toryu)
"This is a women's tournament, isn't it? Shoreikai ranks are irrelevant here. Fine, if you insist on deferring, I don't mind." (Tenai)
Miss Toryu, who had urged Tenai to take the seat of honor, was forced to sit there herself, smiling bitterly after Tenai's refusal. Establishing a friendly rapport before a match with a first-time opponent is a positive step; ideally, this should reduce the likelihood of Tenai ending up on her "blacklist." Maybe.
On the other side of the room, the atmosphere around Ai was fraught with extreme tension. It was hardly surprising, given that her opponent was Tsukiyomizaka, the holder of the Women's Tamasho title. Once the games began, I headed to the training room within the Shogi Kaikan with Miss Akira to follow the gameplay via the live record broadcast. Both matches were heading into unfamiliar territory.
(Ai's opening is very quiet. Tenai, on the other hand...) (Ai)
(She is using the "Feint Ranging Rook." She advanced the 2-6 Pawn and the 2-7 Silver, then swung the Rook to the opposite side... What a violent young lady.) (Oki)
(She loves chaotic battles. But Tenai's piece handling is very skillful. She has a talent for playing Ranging Rook.) (Ai)
(I don't think she loves chaos so much as she loves dragging her opponent into uncharted territory to crush them with raw strength. As for her handling, didn't Oishi Tamasho praise her for that before?) (Oki)
I continued watching Tenai and Ai's matches, occasionally offering simple explanations to Miss Akira. Against Tsukiyomizaka, Ai adopted an extremely low defensive stance—a stark departure from her usual free-spirited style. She said she would dedicate her win to her master; playing this way, she might just pull off a miracle.
In the match between Tenai and Toryu, however, Tenai played with near-thoughtless speed. After maneuvering with the Ranging Rook, she built a solid "Silver Crown" formation and seized the advantage. Constructing a Silver Crown takes many moves, but it is an excellent formation that rates highly even with Shogi software. Just as with her Anaguma, Tenai's Ranging Rook style relies heavily on building solid defenses before engaging in piece exchanges to gain the upper hand. Well, that is essentially the ideal way to win with Ranging Rook.
(That is thanks to my excellent coaching.) (Ai)
(I can't deny that, since it's actually true. Does Ranging Rook suit Tenai better?) (Oki)
(I would prefer she play her current style using Static Rook, but focusing on Ranging Rook for a while is fine.) (Ai)
Once they entered the mutual attack phase, Tenai dropped a Gold she had captured onto the 2-9 square to reinforce the Silver Crown. Is there any formation more solid than a Silver Crown bolstered by an extra Gold? I can easily imagine Miss Toryu's face draining of color upon seeing Tenai's castle. After that, Tenai placed her opponent's King in hisshi—brinkmate—prompting Toryu to resign. Thus, Tenai safely won the first round of the finals.
However, it was not so easy for Ai. She was fighting an uphill battle, taking consecutive hits from Tsukiyomizaka, known as the "Attacking Angel." Then, Ai moved her Rook to trap her opponent's Dragon, forcing a piece exchange. Thanks to her low formation, Tsukiyomizaka had several "floating" pieces—unprotected units on the board.
Ai proceeded to snipe those floating pieces. Every time she added a piece to her hand, she used it to strengthen her defenses, continuing to hold out stubbornly. This desperate endurance began to clearly frustrate Tsukiyomizaka's attacks. At this point, Tsukiyomizaka entered byoyomi—the final countdown—before Ai.
(Isn't this the first time she has played in this style? Enduring patiently while waiting for a chance to counter... Playing like this, Tsukiyomizaka is bound to make a mistake.) (Ai)
(It comes down to endgame strength. Someone skilled at checkmating the opponent is also skilled at spotting the gaps that could lead to their own checkmate. She is closing those gaps one by one, enduring the constant pressure. Because this match—this specific match—is one she absolutely cannot lose.) (Oki)
(Because losing would mean Kuzuryu could never stand on his own feet again... Look, she made a slack move. Ai, in her current state, will finish her off.) (Ai)
Ai eventually entered byoyomi as well, and the long, move-heavy match was finally decided by a blunder from Miss Tsukiyomizaka. After the game ended, Ai returned looking visibly exhausted, leaning on Tenai just to walk. Should I take her to Master Kiyotaki's house as agreed?
...No, I'll take her to Kuzuryu's place and force the issue.
"Are you sure? Didn't Master Kuzuryu specifically ask for Ai to be left in Master Kiyotaki's care?" (Tenai)
"Kuzuryu must have watched Ai's match today. ...The proof is that I just received a message from him on LINE begging to see her." (Oki)
When I dropped Ai off in front of Kuzuryu's house, he burst out the door and hugged her tightly. It was a truly touching scene of reconciliation. However, if a stranger had witnessed it, the police would almost certainly have been called.
"Master... you're hurting me." (Ai)
"Ah, I'm sorry..." (Kuzuryu)
"Ehehe... Master. I won. Will you let me become a professional player now? Will you accept me as your true disciple?" (Ai)
"Yes. I will never let you go. I won't let you go a second time." (Kuzuryu)
(Sorry. Hearing "I won't let you go" got a certain song stuck on repeat in my head...) (Ai)
(Stop it. Now the melody is playing in my head too.) (Oki)
(By the way, Sir, shouldn't you hug Tenai, seeing as she won too?) (Ai)
(Did you forget there is someone holding a gun standing behind us? I would definitely get killed.) (Oki)
Thus, Ai qualified to become a professional Shogi player, and it seems Kuzuryu has overcome his psychological crisis and regained his balance. ...I wonder, is there a chance Ai and Tenai will face each other in the main tournament? If that happens, it would be in the finals, and I hope it proves to be a magnificent match.
___________________
Enjoying the story? Want to read ahead?
Support the novel and unlock early access to unreleased chapters by joining my Patreon!
👑 The Golden Supporter ($8) – Get full access to all published chapters
📎 patreon.com/Raven737
Even a small pledge makes a huge difference — thank you for reading.