Volume 1 Chapter 3 (2/2)

'Even if it's not an important match to you, if it's important to the opponent, go all out to crush him'.

If I win, Ayumu's t.i.tle challenge would be a mere dream that vanishes, and all I needed to do was to crush him as according to this philosophy. Besides—

”I don't want to be called Sc.u.m Ryuuou again.”

I muttered, and played a Fortress myself.

Fiendish move! Kannabe-Style 1-Five-ka

Thirty minutes into the match, and we had already played forty six moves.

The double Fortress (both sides playing fortress) formation was detailed, and the match was progressing quickly. It's common to play twenty moves or so without using the standby time, and playing accordingly, this can be played up to ninety moves. Deeply interesting, this fortress.

”Watch this—-! Upgrading 'fortress' to 'Bear in the Hole'! Defense up by two thousand!!!” (TN: Anaguma, Bear in the Hole)

Ayumu held the piece as though it was Cardfight V ● nguard, and improved the defences, sealing the jade general to the left side of the board. This is the 'Bear in the Hole' formation. While I didn't know if it ups the defense by two thousand points, the formation was st.u.r.dy.

Of course, I'm not the one just taking hits.

A unique characteristic of the double fortress is that both sides would solidify their defences and attack formations, and then a ma.s.sive battlefront. Harden, harden, and explode! Something like that.

”Now then…now then, now then, now then.”

I opened the fan and covered my mouth, muttering. The formation was basically loaded, and I made sure not to let it collapse as I moved the bishop, which could attack the corners from far, to the frontline.

”Hah! Such petty tricks!”

Ayumu immediately responded, and advanced the p.a.w.n to pressure the bishop.

I played along and retreated the bishop back into the corner. This progression of actions was exactly as planned. My ultimate aim was to lure Ayumu out to attack and withstand it at the best possible moment. In other words, I was trying to lure him out.

”Very good…”

Ayumu again raised the piece as though he was doing that V ● nguard pose again. (Is that his signature pose?)

”Hear my summon, leap on, Pegasus!”

The bait was effective, and he left the Knight jump to the frontline. Both sides have declared war.

This ideal situation caused me to smile.

”'The knight jumps high, and is still feed to the p.a.w.n'…so there.” (TN: 桂馬の高跳び歩の餌食, a common saying in shogi)

”Mind calling it 'Pegasus' leap'?”

Once the attack starts, it can't stop, and Ayumu's p.a.w.ns swarmed me, while I too let my p.a.w.ns counter. What they call the 'shogi skin' was being shed, and exposed flesh was clas.h.i.+ng intensely.

”Silver Sword! I'll show you how sharp my blade is!”

Ayumu came attacking at me with his Silver General.

I replied in kind, cutting in with the Silver, and turned his Silver into mine. Now I get a Silver!

Normally, Ayumu would use his rook to take down my Silver General, but,

”Haaa…!”

Ayumu exhaled, and the piece he raised was…the lance!!

”Open your eyes!! This is my ultimate move—'Rightwing Holylance'!”

”Hm!? Thi-this is…!”

I couldn't help but feel a chill as I watched the lance charge down the right wing of the board.

It's an a.s.sault without any care for the sacrifices, a suicidal chain attack using the sharp lance after the silver sword!

”So you're planning to break through from the corner even if you have to sacrifice your piece…?”

I did expect Ayumu to use this move during my prior research.

But it's stressful to actually be attacked like this.

”Th-this is…the 'Kannabe-style 1-five ka…!” (TN: The ka here refers to the kasha, or the lance)

”It's the 'Rightwing Holylance'!”

Ayumu denied it vehemently. Whatever the name is.

”6th dan Kannabe's, expected next move is the 1-five ka…”

The onlooking reporter ignored Ayumu's protests, but the pen was obviously riled up.

As the name of the move would imply, this Kannabe-style 1-five was a 'new move' Ayumu thought of. Ayumu had been using this move to charge up the road towards the Throne match, and it's completely different from me, who lost all my matches! (sobs)

As he called himself a Knight, Ayumu had a unique way of using the lance. I had to be extra careful whenever I move it. Also, this kasha here is read as Lance in English, so I guessed he didn't name it on a whim. I guess.

”Hm…”

It's easy to take down this lance, but even so…

At the moment this move appeared in an official tournament, us Kansai players immediately began research on how to counter it. Us luring out this situation was due to our confidence in our research.

Kansai shogi being crude and a pest is a thing of a past. There's no way we'll lose to the Kanto players when it comes to the amount of research done!

But the Kanto side Ayumu belongs to probably did more in-depth research. There's no way he could be playing the same move over and over again in an official tournament unless he was really confident.

There's a counter strategy…but I really had to read this thoroughly, and make sure the moves I prepared next had no flaws.

”Fuuu……………………..right, now then…”

I exhaled hard, released my legs from the kneeling position, removed my gla.s.ses, leaned onto the elbow rest, and began to ponder.

I opened and shut the fan, making flapping, creating a rhythm as I read.

Reading.

Reading.

Reading. Reading. Reading…

”…Alright.”

I sat in a kneeling position again, and made a move. The recorder and onlooking reporter gasped, leaning forward.

I—did not take his lance.

The sharp lance stabbed at my flank, but I didn't bother with it, and didn't take it out.

Instead, I took down the Pegasus Ayumu moved right at the start—the Knight. Surely it was an unexpected move.

How about that, Ayumu!? While I lifted my eyes to look at the opponent.

”Fuu…such color, such fragrance, I suppose red tea is really the preferred type for English n.o.bles after all…”

You're the son of a tofu maker, okay?

I felt uneasy as I watched him sip the red tea elegantly and call himself a n.o.ble in an annoying manner. Was he pretending to remain calm? Or did he expect this beforehand…?

Well, it didn't matter what it was. I'll be looking forward to see him pale once he finds out the real purpose of this move!

”…The record, please.”

”Please.”

I checked the record that was handed over to me, and I paled, for I was the one who spent forty minutes on this move.

”Ack!”

I felt that I did not spend more than ten minutes on this move. I guess time quickly pa.s.sed while I was immersed into reading the time. No wonder AYumu was drinking red tea.

The allotted time for the Throne Tournament matches was four hours per person, and I could only spend at most twenty minutes on this move. Forty minutes was way too long. He was the one who pulled the distance on me when it came to the allotted time.

”Excuse me.”

It was almost noon break, and the staff-in-charge started to ask the compet.i.tors what they would like for lunch, and they would ask for takeout delivery.

”What will you have for lunch, Kannabe-sensei?”

”Hm…well, 'Chaos of the Phoenix and Sacred Egg'.”

”So, oyakodon.”

Ayumu would typically order the same thing for lunch, and the staffc could understand despite this weird name.

”What about you, Kuzuryuu-sensei?”

”Ah, I won't be having anything.”

Ayumu looked surprised.

”You're not eating?”

”I think I'll like to go out and eat.”

”I see…”

Ayumu looked at me like a Chihuahua in a pet shop n.o.body wanted. Maybe he was worried about the prospect of having eat lunch alone in the Kansai Shogi a.s.sociation.

But I couldn't leave my disciple (temp) just like that. Sorry Ayumu.

Noon Break

I walked down to the dojo on the second floor, and Ai was enthusiastically playing shogi.

”Oh! She's playing.”

The record cards were placed between the shogi board and the pieces box, and the chess clock was on the other side of the board. It appeared someone brought the clock to her while she was playing, and taught her how to use it.

Her opponent's the girl I often met in the dojo. The large eyes and short brown hair left a lasting impression on me, and she too seemed to be a kid who hated to lose. She's about the same age as Ai, and as they're of the same age, both of them were serious.

”It's see…”

I sneaked over to avoid interrupting their concentrations, and observed the board.

The match was about to end, and the board was chaotic, a story of a fiery battle going on.

”…Argh I don't understand at all! Eh!”

The opponent girl decided to stop reading as there was not enough time, and made a move. She appeared to be a straightforward one. It was Ai's turn.

”…Like this, like this, like this like this like this like this…”

She muttered, creating her own rhythm, trying to quickly recite the moves that could allow her to win, her body swaying slightly.

–…There's a lot of moves, but it's possible to checkmate the opponent.

A pro player can tell from a glance, but during matches, there are some moments where

Now then, would Ai be able to figure it out in an actual match?

”…This!”

Ai reached for a piece, exhaled hard, and slammed the piece on the board, making a check.

”Eh!? …erm…”

The opponent panicked due to this unexpected move. She hesitantly moved her king to the side right before her allotted time was about to end, but this king—was dead meat.

Once Ai made this move, she continued on without wasting much time. About three steps before she was about to win, the opponent realized the match was lost, and forfeited.

”…I lost!”

”Th-thank you very much!”

After a little breath, the girl gave a cheerful smile, talking to Ai.

”You're Ai Hinatsuru, right? You're really strong! Where are you from? You're not joining the Research Group?”

”Erm…I-I'll be taking the test…!”

”Really!? Then we'll be able to play shogi together!”

Once the match ended, they reverted back to being ordinary elementary school kids. Such a fast transformation is really something unique to kids.

”Ai.”

”Ah, sensei.”

The girls were chatting chatting away, looking really happy, but if I kept waiting, my lunch break was going to end.

”Good work. You were able to see that mate possibility, huh?”

I put my hand on the head of my disciple (Temp), praising her, and she was grinning away like a puppy ”ehehe ♡” looking really happy.

”You're hungry now, right? Shall we go eat?”

”Okay!”

The rule of this dojo is that the winner has to bring the loser's record card along and request for recording. I looked over at Ai's opponent—

That girl held the green record card, being stiff all over as she looked at me.

”Erm, you. Your record card—”

”A-are you Kuduryuryuryuryu…?”

Is it that the elementary school kids can't read my name?

”Ah, yes. Kuzuryuu.”

The girl fell off her chair, tumbled about, stood up, and walked towards me.

”Erm, I-I-I'm, erm, Mi, Mio Mizukochi!”

Mio Mizukochi, huh?

I took the record card, and found her name.

”…Mio Mizukos.h.i.+. Hm. Good play there.”

Like a teacher, I praised her. ”Woah!” And Mio-chan let out a strange sound, reaching her little hand out as she trembled.

”E-erm! P-please let me shake your hand!”

”Okay. Do your best.”

”Hawawa…hawawawawa…”

Mio-chan's face went completely beetroot, her body practically heating up.

I did encounter a few moments of people wanting to shake hands with me after I became the Ryuuou, but this was the first time someone was so touched. I was so happy…but it was a little embarra.s.sing, and the other visitors were smiling.

”I-I'll never wash this hand…for the rest of my life!”

”I-I see…”

”I'll be using the toilet later, but I'm definitely not was.h.i.+ng my hand!!”

”No, better wash it.”

I made a note on the record card, and returned it to Mio-chan who was nodding away. ”Please get along well with Ai.” I requested, and we left the dojo.

”Such an interesting kid. She's decent at shogi too. Maybe you two will be good friends?”

”Hm? What's the matter, Ai?”

The disciple (temp) who was still being gleeful just a moment back pouted for some reason, muttering.

”…Ai never held Master's hand before…Ai's supposed to be the disciple here…how sneaky…”

”Huh? Erm…Ai-chan?”

”Master!”

”Y-yes?”

”E-erm……………….eh!!!”

Ai suddenly grabbed my right hand with her hands, and pressed her thumbs all over my palm.

What's this kid doing?

”Erm…you happy now?”

”Teehee ♪”

Elementary school kids are really hard to understand.

We walked out of the gloomy building, and the sunlight of Spring was so dazzling. ”Unnn!!” I stretched my back, and turned to the disciple (temp) right beside me.

”Okay, what do you want to eat?”

”Erm..Master, do you have anything you want to eat?”

”Well, I've basically eaten everything the shops around here have to offer.”

”Er-erm…then, erm…”

”What is it?”

”B-bentos! I made them…so…”

”Eh? Even mine?”

”Of course! I woke up early to make it for you, Master!!”

”Oh…!”

This considerate disciple (temp)'s thoughts really left this Master grateful.

I never thought a third grader would have prepared so much…unlike that anedes.h.i.+ who would just tell me to go to the convenience store (Family Mart) opposite the a.s.sociation to buy lunch. Even now, she's the same.

”In that case, we'll eat outside then. The weather's nice.”

”Okay!”

And so, we held hands, and went to a nearby park.

The East f.u.kus.h.i.+ma Park that was slightly further up was filled with greenery…or to be precise, the trees planted by the taxi company next door filled up half the park. It's a small, unique park, befitting of the whimsical culture of Osaka.

We sat side by side on the bench under the shadow of the trees, and opened the bentos Ai made.

”So there's fried egg on the onigiri?”

”You don't like this…?”

”No, I'm happy. I don't really eat much during matches after all.”

”Thank goodness!”

Ai took the onigiri with both hands, and started munching in large gulps. However, her mouth was small to begin with, so despite munching, the onigiri didn't look like it was going to disappear. She's like a cute animal nibbling away. How cute.

Ai munched down the onigiri, and after a while, she lifted her head to look up at me, looking timid as she asked.

”Master, erm…ho-how's the match…?”

”Erm, not too much.”

I alternated between eating the fried egg onigiri and answering her question. The egg and onigiri are delicious, and there's the salmon inside the onigiri, which I liked. Did she ask Keika?

”I played a fortress, and Ayumu played a bear in the hole fortress…ah, you know what they are, don't you?”

”I don't (>_<>

”I guessed so.”

I guess that it'll be easier for her to understand if I described it in notation rather than formation name. But even though she's an elementary school kid, if I'm to describe the board and exchange suggestions, it might be considered as 'helping'. I would be executed.

”Anyway, it's a hard formation facing a super hard one. The super hard one is really solid, and even tried to attack. That's the situation.”

”So Master, you're the super hard one, right?”

”No, I'm the hard one.”

”Eh?”

Ai's face froze. The fillings of the onigiri (salmon) felt to the floor.

Well, she obviously felt that the situation 'was advantageous to Ayumu', and it's no wonder. He did have a really solid formation.

”Well, it's true that Ayumu's king is more secured, and hee's the one attacking.”

”That's interesting…”

”But Ayumu lost quite a few pieces while trying to force his way through. Once he stops, the situation will turn around dramatically.”

”Will it stop?”

”Looking at our research, probably.”

”Research?”

I munched at the onigiri, and explained the world of pro shogi to Ai.

”If we're talking about what shogi players do when they don't have any matches, they spend the time preparing for the next match, do research on the opponent's weaknesses and tactics. A genius player has a sudden idea, and made a wonderful move to win! There's no way such a thing can happen in the current world of shogi.”

Well, speaking of which, there are some people who are G.o.d-like enough to actually do such a thing, like the current Meijin. That guy's G.o.dly.

”That move next is actually the answer my friends and I found. This move will be able to stop Ayumu's attacks…but this isn't actually winning on ability, but on how precise the research is.”

Ai lowered her head silently.

Did her ideals get shattered? While I thought so, the moment she lifted her head again—

”So cool!!”

”Co…ehhh?”

”This is the special technique you thought of, right, Master? You went through strict training, and thought of a secret move to change everything…as to be expected of you, Master! The strongest Dra…no, Ryuuou!”

She nearly said Dragon King there, didn't she?

”But well…I see. So that's what you think…”

”Hm? Did I say anything weird?”

”It's nothing…”

I secretly wiped away the tears from my eyes, so that my disciple (temp) wouldn't find out.

After the ninety or so fixed opening moves, when winning pro shogi boils down to research into every single move, ripping off moves from research reports or shogi templates is often criticized by shogi fans. The internet too will cause an uproar over this. They're right, and I'm not too willing to play such shogi, but this isn't the era where I can simply play and win without being overly reliant on research.

At this point, almost all players will organize their 'research groups', and carry out a battle of research through computer simulation. Depending on the formation, some might even a.n.a.lyse until the very last move.

One move that appears in an official match.

Is supported by thousands of hands that did not show up for this match.

”So, Master, you can make the opponent surrender with the next move?”

”No, at most, it'll just be a deadlock, or maybe the situation will change slightly to my advantage.”

”What? Not a super move!?”

The world isn't that smooth sailing.

”Well, the opponent's that Ayumu, and I'm second, so I guess things are going smoothly now that we're even at the moment?”

”That Go…Kannabe-sensei, right? Is he that strong?”

”He's a shogi player.”

”…That sensei seems to be a little strange.”

”He's a shogi player.”

Most situations could be explained with this.

”Well, if I'm to ask other players how Ayumu's ability is, ten out of ten will answer—'Kannabe? He's strong. No weaknesses in openings, middle game and end game'—”

”There's no way to break through?”

”Well, it's not like he doesn't have his weakness…but I can't attack right now.”

”Fue!?””

”Alright! Time to head back.”

We spoke too much. I licked the rice off my fingertips, and stood up.

”Thanks for your bento. It was nice.”

”Ehehe!”

I patted Ai on the head, and she narrowed her eyes happily, grinning away. Sooo cute.

”Keika will be picking you up in the evening, so you'll be staying at Master's house tonight. I'll go pick you up tomorrow.”

”…Okay!”

Though she had some hesitation. Ai nodded obediently.

Miscalculation

”Take this——-!!”

The match continued, and Ayumu impaled the lance that was stabbed at my flank further in.”

”Next, change! Normal Lance grows up into Golden Lance!!”

Promoted lance…that's what he meant, right? He flipped the piece over, so I guess that's right.

”Fu…caught you! Ryuuou!!”

”Who knows who caught who.”

”Ugh!?”

I saw that this attack was a feint, and ignored the promoted lance that was behind the king, took the p.a.w.n from the board, and attacked another piece on the board. As for the attacked piece, that was—

”The rook…!?”

”Right!”

The attack of the promoted lance from the corner was just to hold me off, a jab.

”Ayumu! Your real purpose is to jab at me and swing a hard straight punch while I'm defending! That straight punch is this rook! In other words, you won't be able to attack as long as I seal it!”

”Fufu…I see, as to be expected of you, Ryuuou, sharp observation there! However, is that feeble attack power of yours able to seal my strongest piece!?”

”How you forgotten, Ayumu!? The piece I took before noon break—?”

”!? Ah…ahh—!!”

”Come forth, Pegasus! I summon the Knight from the board, target the rook!!”

I had an advantage on the board, and so, I too was excited, and completely ignored the cold look from the recorder!

”What now, n.o.ble? Your graceful expression has crumbled there, you know?”

”Ugh….!”

Naturally, the Rook's the strongest piece. Once it gets taken, one's offensive power is reduced drastically, and it's basically giving the strongest weapon to the enemy.

Leaving aside the end game, giving up the rook to the enemy in the middle game meant that it would be a lost cause for Ayumu, so logically, Ayumu would choose to let the rook escape.

So I thought.

”Ku…kukukuku…kuhahahahaa! I've been waiting…for this!”

”!? …What…did you say…?”

Ayumu didn't move his rook, but another important piece—the 'Bishop'.

”Bishop?”

He's abandoning his rook!? Is he for real?

I couldn't help but look at Ayumu's face.

Self-destruction…didn't feel that way. He looked relaxed, and drinking red tea.

My instincts were telling me that I should take down that rook.

Once I take it down, Ayumu wouldn't be able to continue attacking, and I should be able to hang on, barely. I had a p.a.w.n and another Silver general in hand, no problems with defending!

So I tried to make sure my instincts weren't wrong, and grabbed the knee of my pants with my right hand, reading.

Read. Read. Read…

”…Right!”

After more than an hour's worth of thinking, I finally made up my mind and decided to take down the rook with the Knight. How about this, Ayumu!

”Just as planned!!” (TN: No, I didn't make up the 計画とおりpart. Yes, it's Death Note, but the doori in hiragana instead of the more memetic version…)

”What!?”

”I see your pale 'Horse' now…!”

Again, Ayumu raised the bishop with a V ● nguard-like pose, and laid it on the board.

”The name of the one riding on that horse—is Death!”

Ayumu's bishop upgraded to a 'Dragon Horse' (TN: When a piece moves to the furthest one-third of the board, it can be promoted at the end of the turn. Unlike real life jobs, promotions here are permanent. In this case, the Dragon Horse is also known as the Promoted Bishop (Ryuuma))

”How naïve, Ayumu! I've read your attack!”

I slid my king to the side, and skilfully evaded the Dragon Horse's attack.

Activating the shogi phrase 'King Escapes Early!' (TN: 王の早逃げ八手の得)

”How about that? You can't attack again, right?”

I thought it would end up as a middle game where both sides would prep themselves again.

Ayumu reached for the pieces board, and not the shogi board. Once I saw that, I felt a chill run up my spine, like an ice pick.

”Take this! The other hidden lance!!”

The pianist-like movement of the fingers swept the lance from the pieces, and laid it on the board. Ahh!!

”Dragon Killer!! George—-!!”

”Uh oh…!”

He played this move, which made me shudder in more ways then one.

I was about to use the p.a.w.n to attack the rook, but Ayumu played a lance from behind. This would result in a nifu (foul) situation. I couldn't take this with the p.a.w.n! I couldn't defend…!! (TN: While there is a drop rule where both players can play captured pieces, there is a rule called nifu, or double p.a.w.ns. A p.a.w.n cannot be dropped onto a column (vertical) containing another p.a.w.n of the same player)

”6th dan Kannabe shows up with a stunning new move 'Kannabe Style 3-six ka…”

”Didn't I just say that it's the 'Dragon Slayer! George'!?” (TN: Saint George and the Dragon. By all accounts, the weapon should have been the sword Ascalon, so I have no idea as to why a lance is used instead. On a side note, I'm really tempted to continue snarking for the rest of the volume)

Ayumu corrected the onlooking reporter, and pointed his fan at me, saying,

”How about that, Your Highness Ryuuou? How's my new super move 'Dragon Slayer! George'?”

”Ugh…!!”

I bit my lips hard, and observed the board..

I want information. What's Ayumu aiming for next? How bad is it now? What are my chances if I let my king charge through? Is there a possibility of counterattacking—?

”And just to explain, the origin of this name is from the Saint Knight George who was famous for killing a dragon. He stabbed a spear into the mouth of the dragon that was breathing out toxic air, leashed the dragon with the belt the princess granted him, dragged it along like a dog, and killed it.”

I don't want such information…

”No! Add more emphasis on the '!' at the back of the 'Dragon Killer!' Ayumu bothered the onlooking reporter. I guess it's like 'Super Speed! Black 3-Seven Silver Formation' or such? (TN: That Super Fast t.i.tle, yes, it exists. 超速！▲３七銀戦法. It's a common playstyle in the pro meta during 2010, where the player aims to get the Silver General out as quickly as possible.)

It's obviously a combination strategy that picks a target. It was obviously a Chuu2 name he came up with after thinking of it for so long.

In other words…was he waiting for this thirteen moves ago, when I took down his p.a.w.n?

No, probably longer than that…the moment he started Fortressing, he probably expected the situation to change, and lured me into that.

If that's the case—Ayumu did research until the very last move.

Setting the Stage

”Kuzuryuu-sensei, we have run out of the allocated time. Following this, please continue with 'one minute shogi'.”

The recorder stated the cold truth with a stoic tone.

”…Yes.”

And the voice that responded ”Yes” was hoa.r.s.e.

From this point onwards, every move I make has to be made in a minute, or I will overrun my time, and end the match by fouling out.

”Thirty…forty…”

The recorder read the time, with a unique enunciation in the tone.

It was 9pm.

Including the one hour noon break, it has been almost eleven hours since the start of our match at 10am.

Ayumu has one hour of his allotted time left.

And as for me—none.

”Fifty, one, two, three—”

At the moment the recorder said 'seven', I made my move.

In this critical juncture, where I had no time to even head to the toilet, I gritted my teeth, and continued playing shogi despite being battered all over.

In this bitter one-sided defensive battle, the hopeless battle of attrition continued to wear at my nerves.

In contrast, Ayumu continued to attack successfully. ”Now, here's my turn!”

What was a situation of Ayumu's advantage became a winning situation.

”Hoho. Time to end your life and head for dinner…”

There's no rest time for dinner during the t.i.tle Round-Robin tournament, and it has been more than eight hours without rest or nap.

We're mentally driven to our limits, and yet my mind was unable to focus while I had to play this one minute shogi.

–Where did I make a mistake?

–Was it a bad move to take the rook back then?

–…No, thinking back about it, I shouldn't have let Ayumu play a fortress, should I…? (TN: Fortress, 矢仓, yagura, a form of castling, and a static rook opening.)

With the recorder prompting while reading the seconds, all I could do was just regret.

I could simply drag this until the very end.

But…as the t.i.tle holder, the Ryuuou, I don't want to do something this gaudy.

–Is it really okay for me to continue on?

–But if I'm to give up at this moment, the internet's going to let me have it for giving up too easily…

All my mind, I was only thinking about this. I was focusing on 'how to lose beautifully' rather than reading the board.

At this point, I had completely given up the will to fight—the winner was determined.

It was evident to everyone else in the room, it seemed, as the reporter who was in the rest room returned to the table side without me knowing. Clearly, it was to record the moment I surrender.

–At the very least, a pretty record…

For a shogi player, a shogi record is the one thing that can be shown to later generations to indicate one's presence. It's as important as music sheets for a composer.

Losing doesn't matter. I can handle it.

But if I'm going to be laughed at forever for ”such a poor game”, I couldn'

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