Kuzuryu successfully defended his "Ryu" (Dragon King) title. Thank heavens the signs of his transformation into a "Demon King" have not yet been broken. At the end of December, he achieved a dramatic victory to retain the title, and although he became the center of a storm of both praise and insults simultaneously, I was preoccupied with my own affairs.
On the tenth of last December, for Tenai's birthday, I prepared Shogi pieces for her, carved with the calligraphy of her late father. As expected, she broke down in tears while thanking me, but I did not wish to claim this credit for myself, so I told her the whole truth clearly.
I explained that using her father's calligraphy was Kuzuryu's idea, and that Kagamizu-san was the one who collected the writing samples. Then, a Shogi board craftsman (an acquaintance of mine) introduced me to a professional piece maker (Komashi), who handled the actual carving. I told her this gift would not have been realized without this network of human connections, and that cutting ties with people in life inevitably means loss.
After wiping her tears, she said to me, "I have already understood that," so I suppose she will become calmer and more dignified soon, right? My thanks go to everyone who contributed to making these pieces; I merely paid the money.
(By the way, what was the level of Shogi in the 'Ryu' matches themselves? I couldn't grasp anything except that Kuzuryu's counterattack in the final game was terrifying.) (Oki)
『...His rate of evolution in the second half of the 'Ryu' matches surpassed even that of his disciple Ai. Truly, the title 'Demon King of the West' fits him perfectly.』 (Ai)
(That disciple Ai managed to defeat two titleholders and is steadily advancing in the main qualifiers for the 'Mynavi' tournament. It seems a playstyle based on counterattacks suits her perfectly, doesn't it?) (Oki)
『With her added specialty in 'Major Table-Turning' (reversing a losing game), I do not think any ordinary female professional will be able to stop her anymore.』 (Ai)
(Tenai is evolving too, but it is no longer possible to assert she will beat Ai 100% of the time. It seems I must take the worst-case scenarios into account.) (Oki)
The titles Kuzuryu is currently known by include: "The Loli King," "Demon King of the West," "Strongest Lolicon in History," and so on. As for me, the titles overlap strangely: "Strongest Man While Asleep," "The Entertainer," "The Broken Robot," "The Prophet," "The Demon General"... There is no end to this nonsense, and the last two are definitely Ayumu's invention. They should stop this absurdity.
Then came the New Year. My goal for this year is for Tenai to snatch the "Queen" title, and for me to snatch the "King of the Board" (Ban-O) title. During the "Throne" (Oza) matches, the Meijin told me he wants to fight me seriously next time, so I expect Ai (the Artificial Intelligence) to deliver a finishing blow to the Meijin in the "King of the Board" match. ...Lately, Ai has grown stronger again; I am no longer able to win against it even with a two-piece handicap. It should stop this nonsense as well.
Tenai and I attended the "First Move Ceremony" (Sashizome-shiki) in the Kansai region. I was thinking of going to the Kanto region ceremony where President Gekko would attend, but I was sent here. Recently, I have seriously begun to suspect that President Gekko hates me. Well, that is expected, as I defeated him when I was in junior high school... I mean, Ai was the one who defeated him.
「That person over there is Master Zao Tatsu (9-dan), the senior fellow disciple to both Kiyotaki-sensei and President Gekko. You must know his name at least?」 (Oki)
「Of course I know his name at least. ...He is retiring this year, right?」 (Tenai)
「Yes. His final match will be in the Ranking Matches (Jun'i-sen) against Kuzuryu.」 (Oki)
「Against that 'Loli King'? That is truly pitiful. He has no hope of winning.」 (Tenai)
「No, who knows? Surprises might happen. The difference in experience is not something to be underestimated.」 (Oki)
Since the beginning of the year, Tenai has increasingly acted like a "refined young lady." Of course, this is a good thing, and although she has become softer, she still unleashes toxic comments every now and then; perhaps she inherited this trait from me.
(Well, in my case, I mostly direct my toxicity toward Ai. How good it is that Ai exists. I hope you take care of me this year as well.) (Oki)
『Rather, it is I who hopes you take care of me this year.』 (Ai)
Since it is the beginning of the year and everyone is playing Shogi everywhere, Tenai played with the professionals near her. Ai and Tenai met and exchanged greetings, but it did not reach the point of playing together. If they both continue winning, they will meet in the final of the "Mynavi" main qualifiers. If that happens, whoever wins will become the youngest challenger for the "Queen" title in history.
I, meanwhile, was busy tending to drunken adults. Some would pester me, shouting, "Hey Oki! Get serious for once!" I would reply, "No, the trouble is, I suddenly lose sight of the moves mid-game." They would nod, slurring, "We totally get that~," making them easy to dodge.
...I can still deceive the gullible. As for those who see through the ruse, if we have no personal connection, they look at me with revulsion, or else with awe and dread. Some find motivation in it; others, envy. Yet, no one dares to utter statements that could ruin the Shogi world. Before my eccentricity could fully surface, most of the public became preoccupied with the confrontation between Kuzuryu and the Meijin.
Thanks to my commentary, the "6-6 Silver" move the Meijin played in the match deciding the Ryuo challenger is now treated as a standard, strong move. It proves just how much the speaker's identity matters.
Shortly, a deranged woman will barge in. I suspect her time is just about now, isn't it?
「Pe... niiiiiis! Let me touch the peniiiiiis!!」 (Master Shumai)
「Hiii!? W-what is this!?」 (Tenai)
「I will cover Tenai's ears. You, Akira-san, please immobilize that lunatic without hurting her.」 (Oki)
「Ah, understood. But who on earth is she!? She's carrying a sword!」 (Akira)
「Despite her appearance, she is considered a 'Living National Treasure.' Please, deal with her quickly and try not to kill her.」 (Oki)
Just as I thought that, Master Shumai entered, clutching a sake bottle and a katana. I rushed to cover Tenai's ears. Akira-san and the Association staff immediately moved to restrain her, but the way she brandished the sword was truly terrifying.
...Wait, Akira-san just drew a gun. Stop. Please do not try to parry a katana with bullets. This will turn into a battle manga.
After a struggle lasting a few minutes, the staff safely subdued Master Shumai and led her away. She will likely be released immediately, but she will undoubtedly be barred from the Shogi world for a while.
「Who was that woman just now?」 (Tenai)
「She is the 'Honinbo' title holder in Go, and one of the few remaining 'Board Makers' (Banshi) in the modern era.」 (Oki)
「...No way, do you mean she is the board maker you said you knew...」 (Tenai)
「Yes, she is 'that' one. She is a sane person when not drinking alcohol, and one can converse with her naturally.」 (Oki)
『Although the times she is not under the influence are rare, yes.』 (Ai)
(...Will I also play Shogi drunk when I reach the legal drinking age?) (Oki)
『Stop saying that, please. If you drink too much, I will malfunction. And restoring the system takes a full day.』 (Ai)
(Eh. No, actually, I have no intention of drinking anyway. I don't like it that much.) (Oki)
Afterward, the "First Move Ceremony" continued. The photographers created a stir snapping pictures of Kuzuryu and Sora-san flirting (or at least appearing very intimate). Honestly, it is a scene I am used to, so I merely muttered inwardly, "Just get together and get it over with."
On the other hand, Ai's mood was steadily deteriorating, to the point where the professional player facing her muttered, "Little girls are scary."
Or rather, is it even possible for Ai to win with a "Bishop Handicap" (Kaku-ochi) against a C1 Class professional, even one with a losing record and a win rate of around 40%?
...Has Tenai not reached that level yet?
Regardless, since Ai represents the greatest obstacle to the "Queen" title challenge, I want Tenai to surpass her at all costs.
___________________
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.