Volume 1 Chapter 5 Afterword,... (1/2)

Day before the Test

”I heard that USJ will be building a new attraction.” (TN: USJ, Universal Studios j.a.pan).

I could hear anedes.h.i.+'s voice and electronic sounds inside the shogi room of the a.s.sociation's third floor.

Pi…pi, pi, peep.

”Oh.”

Pach. Tak! I carelessly answered as I moved my piece, and pressed the switch of the chess clock.

We had fifteen minutes of allocated time each. It's a practice match where if the time ran out, we had a time limit of thirty seconds.

”I heard the girls discuss this in cla.s.s. Heard it's fun.”

Pach. Tak. Anedes.h.i.+ quickly moved her piece, and pressed the switch of the chess clock.

It's the period after the ranking matches ended, a long Spring Break for the shogi world. There were few matches, so Anedes.h.i.+ and I were the only ones in the shogi room. It's the third day of the punishment-like, supplementary lessons-like practice matches.

”Hm…”

I moaned as I made a move. We're talking, but the purpose was to pace ourselves; we weren't paying attention to the conversation at all.

Speaking of USJ, Anedes.h.i.+ and I would rather head to a street dojo or a KTV to play shogi. We get to eat and drink in the dojo, and n.o.body will protest no matter the loud noises made; it's the best place for us to play shogi, and I had no issues with playing shogi there for the night.

”About tomorrow…”

Pach. Tak.

”What?”

Pach. Tak.

”Yaichi, do you have any plans?

”I have nothing, personally—”

Both of ran were playing with thirty seconds. I read her move, and lazily answered,

”But it's my disciple's Research Group Test tomorrow.”

PACH! BAM!

Anedes.h.i.+ made her move, and let out a loud thud. The clock wasn't wrecked though. She's pumped up for this.

”…So?”

”No, well, I thought I should accompany her.”

Pach. Tak.

”Aren't you being too overprotective?”

”You're right. Our Ai here should be able to enter the Research Group easily.”

Anedes.h.i.+'s hand stopped as it reached for the shogi board, and she was clenching her fists. The countdown began.

”I do have a responsibility to take care of her, and I don't have anything to do at home anyway. I can't think of any other places to go to, and even so, I don't have anyone to go with (wry smile).”

Pi, Pi, Pi—

”But in the end, I really can't get sick of looking at my disciple when she's so cute.”

Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii—

The chess clock let out a loud warning.

Time's up.

”Erm…Anedes.h.i.+? Time's up…”

”I know.”

Anedes.h.i.+ nonchalantly stood up despite losing due to running out of time.

I understood what this meant.

At this point…Anedes.h.i.+'s utterly fuming.

What happened? Did I say something to anger her? I just mentioned my schedule for the next day…?

”Anedes.h.i.+? Do you have anything tomorrow?”

”Work.”

Once she coldly said this, the proud Princess left the room.

Work on the weekday? Some event for the Women's Shogi a.s.sociation? I thought she would put shogi studying as priority, and wouldn't partic.i.p.ate in such events often…

”Well, it's useless to be wondering about it.”

I packed up, and left the room too.

I arrived at the dojo on the second floor, and saw Ai ask someone to record the match result.

”Ah, master!”

”How's your record today?”

Ai grinned as she raised four fingers. Four straight wins, huh.

I guess it's ideal that she kept this winning feeling up. There's still some time to noon, but since it was the perfect timing, I decided to end things here for the day.

”Let's have some pork fillet at 'Twelve' before going home.”

”Wahh!! Eating out!”

I intended to head to the Restaurant on the first floor of the a.s.sociation for our meal to cheer her on, but once we got down, some people entered the hall.

A middle-aged man and woman…probably younger than that, a couple.

They were dressed formally. I might be rude to shogi fans here, but they did not seem to be the type who would show up at the dojo to play shogi.

”h.e.l.lo, how may I a.s.sist you?”

Shogi players are basically in the service industry. I showed a gentleman's smile, asking them.

They widened their eyes as they looked at me.

But once they saw the disciple climbing down the stairs behind me, they were left stunned, and cried out in unison,

””Ai!””

And so Ai, who was called out—

”Papa!? M-mama!?”

…Eh?

Ai's Parents

It's a man with the flair of an ancient warrior.

”Takas.h.i.+ Hinatsuru.”

We're in the restaurant 'Twelve' on the first floor—

Unlike their energetic daughter, the parents facing me from across the table were giving off an ominous atmosphere, so heavy that it's terrifying…

”…Papa's the chef in the inn.”

”…Oh.”

Hina, seated next to me, whispered.

This 'professional' looking father sure seemed similar to Master Kiyotaki in some sense. Of course, I'm not talking about how he peed through the window of the arena. Well, it's the presence they carry, I guess?

”Kuzuryuu-sensei, thank you for your great support during the Dragon King match.”

”I-it's nothing. I too want to thank…”

”I was in the kitchen, so I apologize for neglecting to greet you. Congratulations on being the youngest Ryuuou in history. And my daughter here has caused you trouble. I really do not know how to offer my sincere apologies.”

He bowed deeply, and I couldn't help but wince. It just felt awkward, like I'm letting master apologize to me…

But the really awkward part came later on.

”Akina Hinatsuru.”

Following that was Ai's mother.

”I am the lady boss of 'Hinatsuru'. We have been in your care along with the many people of the shogi world during the Dragon King match, Kuzuryuu-sensei.”

The lady boss was a beauty, of the exact same mold as Ai…but with manners and an ominous presence. Her words were filled with spite, and a chill ran up my spine.

The final round of the Dragon King match which I won my t.i.tle—

The match was held over two days, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Every person involved in j.a.pan who deemed shogi to be more important than Christmas, and partic.i.p.ated in the final t.i.tle match of the year.

There was no way the celebratory part would not be a mess.

”I am…shogi!!” My drunk master suddenly said such ridiculous words, and for some reason, started stripping his bathrobes and went fully naked. I too was completely stripped naked, and the young shogi players of Kansai who came to support went out to the hall completely naked, playing naked shogi. The reporters who came to telecast excitedly uploaded the footages onto the internet, and created a ma.s.sive commotion (TN: This drunk master is channelling his inner Setsuna F. Seiei with the ”I am Gundam” Chant).

I didn't want to remember about this terrifying memory, and moreso the staff at the inn…it just remained fresh in my mind.

And to bury this unbearable memory, I laughed, saying,

”S-since both of you are here, do you want some food? I personally recommend the 'Pork Beauty'.” (TN: 珍豚美人, Chintonshan, deep fried pork cutlet)

I opened the menu, and introduced a dish t them.

This Pork Beauty is a self-creation of the shop owner. It's pork with a thin deep fried layer and coated with sweet and sour sauce, a rather delicious dish. It's a weird name, but I personally liked it. Also, I heard of other self-created dishes like 'Dynamite', but due to the weird name, I didn't remember ordering it.

”I wish to order the lunch set 'One mouthful of lean pork'. What about you?”

”The same.”

”I-I see…what do you want, Ai?”

”b.u.t.ter rice!!”

In the end, I was the only one who ordered the Pork Beauty. It's nice…but the problem here's the name, I guess…?

Later, the food arrived, and everyone other than Ai finished the food, and went back to the topic at hand. Ai got down to eating the b.u.t.ter rice, but she just could not finish, either because her mouth was too small, or that there's too much b.u.t.ter rice. Please take your time…

”About accepting our daughter as a disciple…”

Her father said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

”After a long discussion and thought through this, we have decided—to oppose. We apologize for causing your so much inconvenience, sensei.”

”Hnnn!!! Momomomo!!!”

”Ai, do not talk while you eat.”

Ai, upon being told off by her father, started to gobble and stuff the bitter rice into her mouth. Do your best there.

Twelve's pork dishes might be delicious, but it didn't seem capable of appeasing the att.i.tude of Ai's parents.

”B-but…at this point, studying at a stranger's house is really unordinary…it's to be expected why you may be opposed to it.”

”No. This doesn't matter to us.”

What!? Doesn't matter!?

”In our world—whether it's managing an inn or being a chef, it is to be expected for people to stay elsewhere for their vocational training. I heard the world of shogi is the same.”

”This, erm…yeah, erm…I see…”

I gave a vague response.

In the world of shogi, disciples living together with their masters are a rare breed. Of those players under forty, I suppose only anedes.h.i.+ and I had the same experience. However, it seemed Master Kiyotaki did convince them through this method.

”In any profession, there is a need for people to leave home to hone their craft. In this sense, we really do not know how to express our gratefulness to you for being willing to groom our daughter, Kuzuryuu-sensei.”

”Huh.”

”But this might not be best chose for our daughter—”

”Simply put, we are wondering if the profession of a 'female pro' will really bring about happiness for our daughter.”

Before the father could finish, the mother rattled on,

”As parents, we have investigated this…the status of female pros is very unstable. Many of them either go on hiatus, or retire early, no? What do you think of this Kuzuryuu-sensei?”

”Well…”

I pondered for a little bit, and then nodded,

”The future for female pros really isn't bright.”

”Master!?”

Ai, who finally finished her b.u.t.ter rice, looked surprised as she grabbed at my sleeve, but I gave a rea.s.suring nod, and said,

”Compared to male pros, there are far few female pros, and the fee for every match is lower. The appearance fee they get for other jobs is less than men, and it's a fact that they're more economically constrained. However…”

I continued,

”Given the ability of your daughter, I suppose I don't have to worry about this.”

”Why?”

”She has outstanding talent.”

I said with much confidence, sounding more amped up as I explained,

”If she continues to grow, it's only a matter of time until she wins a t.i.tle on the female circuit. She's energetic and lively, so I believe there will be many wanting to have her for lessons or being an a.s.sistant to shogi programmes, so she should be a lot more financially stable than them.”

”It's true that using one's own hobbies as work is tough in some sense.”

I said as I recalled those days before Ai came here—the time when I nearly got crushed because of all the consecutive defeats. It's painful to be denied on what we like.

”But that's more fun than being unable to do what we like, so I think…”

Not everybody can be shogi players.

There's an overwhelming majority who gave up on their dreams; I feel those that have the talent to achieve their dreams but are unable to grasp their chances are committing a much bigger sin.

”I see…”

Ai's mother smiled.

”Pardon my question, but Kuzuryuu-sensei, have you ever groomed a disciple?”

”Well…your daughter is my first…”

”Then, if I may ask, how do you determine that Ai has talent? How do you determine that she's able to be groomed into a t.i.tle winner?”

”You do seem very confident, but you have interfered in a child's life without a clear basis. Do you think this is correct?”

Upon hearing the mother treat me like a kid, the father next to her immediately reproached,

”Hey! That's being rude to sensei!”

”Please keep quiet, you.”

”Yes.”

Father!? Aren't you giving up way too quickly here!?

Ai approached my ear, and explained,

”…Papa was married into the family. He can't lift his head up to mama.”

”…I guessed so.”

Seemed that I couldn't rely on the father…

”I have to ask you again, Kuzuryuu-sensei. Are you able to a.s.sure that you will be able to groom our daughter into a t.i.tle holder?”

”Th-this is—”

”Of courses!!”

Answering this wasn't me, but Ai, and she clenched her spoon, trying her best to convince her parents.

”Master taught me well! He's always kind to me, sometimes very intense, but in terms of technique or strength, he's always better…we kept on going until morning for our first time too!”

”Sh-she's talking about shogi, you know!? I was just teaching!!”

Ai's parents, and even the shop owner of Twelve were giving me suspicious looks. Why?

”…Anyway…”

Ai's mother coughed, trying to overcome the awkwardness that was a family watching a comedy and coming across a bed scene.

”I am going to bring my daughter back. Is this okay?”

”Don't wanna!”

Before I could argue, Ai ducked under the table, and grabbed the table leg, intending to resist until the very end. In shogi terms, it's a bear in the hole, st.u.r.dy defense, that.

”I don't want to go back! Daratsu!!”

”You dare call your parents that!!”

Mother and daughter argued across the table. This situation's…

I asked the father,

”Erm, just to ask. What does 'dara' mean in this case?”

”Idiot or b.a.s.t.a.r.d, about that meaning.”

Oh… (TN: In alphabets)

So, in other words, Ai had been scolding anedes.h.i.+ that while giving an angelic smile. If this is made known, someone's definitely going to get murdered by anedes.h.i.+, and that someone's me!

I got to keep this a secret…but if anedes.h.i.+ searches it up on the internet, it's all over. So my cause of death is the internets. Internet's really the enemy to humanity, but I can't help but wonder, is it really an illness? (TN: Just to note, the 'internets' part is really listed as plural. One of the gaffes made by George W. Bush Jr.)

Having made up my mind, I tried to coax the mother.

”It's true that my guidance alone might not be enough. However, there are establishments in the shogi world that specialize in grooming female pros, and she'll be completely educated there.”

”is that so?”

”It's called a 'Research Group', and any females who train there and reach a certain level will become female pros. In other words, the Kansai a.s.sociation shall give its all to help your daughter reach that level.”

”We have registered her for an Entrance Test. It's not too late to wait for the result, yes? It just so happens to be tomorrow.”

”If sensei says so…”

The father asked timidly, and the tense atmosphere eased up a little. Like a hermit crab, Ai poked half her face from beneath the floor. How cute.

”What is it called again…a Research Group? How are the tests held?”

”They will face pro players or those aiming to be pros, and be gien handicaps…anyway, it's to have them give handicaps, and play three rounds. Depending on the performance, it'll be determined if she pa.s.ses.”

”Understood.”

The mother nodded,

”So if Ai wins all her matches, I will allow her to join the Research Group.”

””A-all!?””

Ai and I echoed in unison, and the father stood up to protest.

”This request is too—”

”Please remain quiet, you.”

”Yes.”

And the father sat down.

”If my daughter is as talented as what you are saying, she should have no problems pa.s.sing with flying colors, no?”

”Erm…it's not that kind of test. There's no real need to beat the examiners. Even if she does lose all three matches, if she does well, it's considered a pa.s.s, so—”

”I do not care about that.”

The mother sharply cut off my words, and I could only remain quiet.

”Whether the opponents cannot win, if she can't win with handicaps, this shows that she only has that much talent, right? A shogi player should be able to figure out how much talent he has; if she really does have talent, three straight wins shouldn't be too difficult, am I right?”

This is too much to ask for…

There's often such a misconception by outsiders, but in the world of shogi, even with a vast difference in ability, there's no guarantee for a player to win all the matches.

There's a saying that even if it's twice or thrice, and that there's a vast difference in ability between two players, there's a chance that the weaker player can win one out of three times.

Ai has outstanding talent, but even after the opponent gives up a few pieces, there's no guarantee that she could win three straight matches against vastly experienced opponents, especially when she only played for less than half a year.

While I intended to explain this—

”I won't lose!”

Ai snuck out from under the table, and accepted her mother's challenge, showing as much stubbornness as the latter. She grabbed my tongue, and spoke in dialect.

”I've been studying alot with Master for long! No way will I lose here!!”

”Then win.”

The mother arrogantly said to the daughter,

”If you're able to win all your matches, I'll let you continue your training. If you lose just one, you need to give up on shogi and return home. Understood?”

The Last Night

”…Alright, this will be all for practice.”

I told my disciple, who's in pajamas, and intended to pack up the pieces. At this moment, Ai, seated before the shogi board, kept clinging onto me.

”Master! Just one more match—”

”No.”

”But…”

”You need sufficient rest before an important match. This is an important tournament skill for a pro player.”

I pat Ai's head to calm her down.

”The time allocated to you for tomorrow is 35 minutes, and once that expires, it's 1 minute per move. You'll play three matches, and you have the pressure to win all your matches. Your stamina will be really drained.”

”…Yes.”

”Don't worry. Just go with your usual ability, and you'll definitely win easily.”

Ai had been playing shogi since morning, and after bidding farewell to her parents, was practicing her openings, and after a shower, she played a few rounds against me with me giving a handicap.

At this point, Ai could beat me with a two piece handicap. I believe that even with the Research Group members as opponent, she'll be able to win all three matches without any handicap.

What left me uneasy was…that Ai's not used to pressure.

She had no experience in a tournament, and the only match she had something on the line was the one when she wanted to be my disciple.

So, the most terrifying thing was that she would be crushed by the pressure.

The only way to overcome this is to acc.u.mulate experience. If there's a magic pill that could eliminate all the pressure, I would have had her eat it…

”…Master.”

”Hm?”

I thought she was asleep, but she hugged the pillow, and covered half her face as she looked over at me.

She was blus.h.i.+ng, fidgeting around.

Blus.h.i.+ng, fidgeting around…ahh.

”You need the toilet before you sleep?'

”That's not it!”

Ai's face was flushed red like an explosion. ”Fuu…uuu…” she was fidgeting more than before, and then, she yelled as she hugged the pillow firmly, her mind made up.

”E-erm…Master, can I have something to feel you by?”

…Sure feels…erm, like an elementary school kid,

”Li-like a handkerchief you use, or a pen…anything! I want it…as a talisman for a match…”

”Uh…huh, a talisman.”

Yes yes, huh, so that's how it is.

Of course I knew what this mean, you know?

”…Right, I'll prepare something for you.”

”Th-thank you, Master!”

”Okay, now go to sleep.”

”Yes! Good night, Master!”

She put her hands on the tatamis, bowed politely, put on her kitty pajamas, turned around, and teetered back to the bedroom.

Thud. The door was closed.

”Hm…I'll give that here.”

From the wall cupboard, I took out my calligraphy tools and a white fan.

Three times I experienced writing on a fan, when I obtained my fourth dan, when I challenged for the t.i.tle of the Dragon King, and when I won the t.i.tle. 'Fresh', 'life', 'Amberjack'. Sure seemed like some advertis.e.m.e.nt for a fish shop.

I intended to write another word.

I didn't have a magic pill.

But to convey through word what was most important, the necessary feeling she needed to have no matter the match, I earnestly wrote down—

”Courage”.

The next morning, I was woken up, as my disciple discovered the fan signed by her master placed by her bedside, ”Nya—!!” and called out like a cat.

Research Group Test

”Please, come this way.”

I met Ai's parents at the entrance of the a.s.sociation, and led them to the arena, where the Research Group Test was being held.

I had been calling it a Test all this while, but a Research Group Test Day didn't really exist.

A Test's only held as a normal activity, called a 'regular meeting'. If the performance is good enough for people to think 'she has potential!', then she will be allowed to join.

”No need to be so nervous. Just play as normal.”

Keika, ranked C2 in the Research Group, gently said to Ai to get her to calm down and relax.

Ai was nervously kneeling in a corner of the room, firmly holding the fan I placed by her beside.

There were 39 men and women affiliated to the Kansai Research Group, almost of them in elementary and middle school.

Amongst them, 9 were aiming to be female pros, and they're all older.

Keika, at 25 years old, is the oldest of the lot. The average age of the others is about high school level, and for elementary school, only Mio, Ayano who came by just a while back, and Ai.

”Good morning, everyone.”

The manager of the Research Group, 7th Dan Yos.h.i.+tsune Kuruno greeted everyone, and started taking names.

Once he was done, he took a large board called the 'large plate' (which has the pattern of a shogi board, and shogi pieces with magnets stuck onto them) to hold a simple strategy seminar, and then briefly touched on the mindset of a Research Group member.

On this day, he said this,

”What have you worked hard in to become stronger?”

Kuruno-sensei said as he looked around at everyone in the room, asking with a gentle voice.

”Played some actual matches!”, ”solved a lot of tsumeshogi!” the elementary school kids answered.

”Hm, there are many ways, like playing matches against others, solving tsumeshogis, but the most important thing of all is to 'acc.u.mulate experience'.”

He raised an example,

”For example, those that cannot sit properly for too long will try for just one match today, endure until midway through the second match next time around, and then two matches after that…by acc.u.mulating experience, you will find yourself better than before. This is what it means to be working hard.”

Sensei said, and and the few elementary school kids started sitting in a seiza. Such innocence from them is really cute. (TN: Seiza, proper sitting, your knees together, b.u.t.ts on ankles, back straight.)

”Today a newcomer shall take the Entrance Test. To all parties involved, I hope you will show something different from the Research Group and a typical dojo, and all the hard work you have put in till this point.”

Ai's body froze the moment she was mentioned. With a wry smile, Keika patted her back.

”Now then, let us announce the opponent for the firstone.”

Once the matchups and formats were announced, the members immediately sat before the shogi boards that were laid out in the room, and put on the pieces. Every person present wanted to play as soon as possible, and I, affected by such an atmosphere, was itching on my hands.

The manager then said to Ai, who was left behind.

”Hinatsuru, your dojo is the 3rd rank, right?”

”Y-yes!”

”Then, how about playing an even match against Sadatou?”

The first opponent's Ai's friend in the Research Group, Ayano Sadatou.

The latter had just joined the Research Group, and remained stuck at F1 rank. From her performances at the JS Research Group held at my house, she seemed decent.

An even match, and the tile toss showed that Ai would start later.

”Please start.”

””Please take care of me!””

The manager announced the start of the match, and the members bowed to each other, before everyone present started to play. All that could only be heard at the arena was the electronic sounds of the chess clocks, and the sounds of the first moves being made.

”Hoo…”

Ai's father let out a sigh, and her mother too widened her eyes.

The anxious atmosphere from before vanished, and the immaturity vanished from the children's faces. To first-timers looking on, it might have been an intriguing scene. Present here were future killers aiming to a.s.sa.s.sinate the enemy's king.

As for Ai's match—

”Oh, chance.”

””What?””

I commented, and Ai's parents looked over in unison.

”She's overly wary of Ai's attacks, so even though she moves first, she's in a defensive position, and created an opening in the formation. It's quite small, not big enough to break the entire formation…”

But that would be enough for Ai.

”…Un!!”

Ai attacked the opening with the Bishop, not wasting any time.

”Eh!?”

Ayano faltered when she suddenly saw this sudden attack by an important piece.

”I-it's a waste not to take it.”

She took the Bishop without thinking, and then, it was a one-sided a.s.sault situation against her.

Ai had the advantage, and kept attacking, closing in on Ayano's king.

The attacks came like rapids, surging forward at the little opening.

”I…I can't handle this…I lost…”

Ayano couldn't understand what happened, and dejectedly lowered her head, admitting defeat.

”Thank you for the match.”

Ai enthusiastically bowed at her opponent. Her mind was still going at full speed, and her speech was fast. She was so excited, her cheeks were red.

Upon hearing the match was over, the surrounding kids started chatting.

”Really? It's over?”

”Little Dragon's so strong…”

34 moves. A typical match had around 100 or so. It's abnormally rare to have such a small movecount.

Ai's father too couldn't help but exclaim,

”Sh-she won!? Ai won!?”

”This is a victory won by your daughter's will. Before the opponent could get into the mood for battle, she attacked while the guard's down.”

”Will?”

Her mother said with some spite,

”Isn't shogi a tabletop game? I thought it has nothing to do with willpower.”

”Shogi is really a game.”

Twenty years ago—

There was a universal champion who continues to dominate the world of shogi till this day, and when he won an unprecedented 7 straight t.i.tles, a reporter asked him, ”What do you think Shogi is?”. He answered, (TN: This champion being Yos.h.i.+haru Habu, reigning champion of all 7 major t.i.tles in 95-96. Ryu-oh, Meijin, Kisei, Oi, Oza, Kioh, Osho)

”Shogi—is just a game.” (TN: Just a game is written in English)

”But since the players are human, there are definitely going to be psychological factors, like carelessness or fear.”

This match would be the best example. If Ayano did not get rattled because of Ai's attacks, and tried to fight back calmly, it wouldn't be hard for her to reverse the situation.

However, she was affected by how quickly Ai discarded an important piece, played a bad move without thinking too much, and ended up losing in so few moves.

No handicaps, and Ayano got to start first, so it would have been advantageous for her to attack first. The moment she chose not to do so, her will lost to Ai's.

”Ai's too strong…too strong…”

”Bu-but, I was in danger here…I nearly self-destructed here…”

While Ayano and Ai were having their post mortem, ”Oh…” the people watching from the exclaimed.

Ai's attacks were really exciting, and from how she played, people could see her talent.

Such talent could attract other talents.

Pro

”Hm. I shall be your opponent then.”

Upon seeing that person volunteer, I couldn't help but widen my eyes.

”Kuruno-sensei, you…?”

It's the manager of the Research Group, 7th Dan Yos.h.i.+tsune Kuruno.

Ai's father whispered to me,

”That's…?”

”Manager of the Research Group…if your daughter manages to enter, he'll be the one in charge. He's ranked in cla.s.s B1, a really strong pro player…” (TN: Rankings goes from A1, B1, B2, C1, C2. It's a different ranking from the dan system, and promotion and relegation between these leagues is dependent on performances.)

Just to note, I'm in C2, three ranks lower than him. (TN: ie, the lowest ranking. The same ranking as Keika as mentioned before)

Unlike this Sc.u.m Dragon King who accidently won the t.i.tle, Kuruno-sensei's ability is the real deal. That 'Kuruno's World' flair of his is infamous enough to be feared by many shogi players.

”She'll really be playing against a pro…”

”Yeah. Of course, there'll be handicaps.”

2 pieces handicap. Kuruno-sensei played while giving up the Rook and Bishop.

Typically, an ideal matchup would be to give up both Lances on the side. It seemed he was really intending to test Ai's ability.

Ai's parents seemed unable to hide their shock once they saw their daughter facing a pro across the table.

With them watching on, Ai firmly held the fan on her knees, and raised her voice as she thanked her opponent.

”P-please take care of me!”