"Woooow... it's truly magnificent." (Ten'ai)
"Ten'ai, can you really grasp the beauty of something like this? As for me, I don't get it at all." (Ōki)
"Hey! Then why did you bring me here?" (Ten'ai)
"Well, I thought since we came all this way, we might as well take a look. It would be a waste to miss the opportunity." (Ōki)
After parting ways with Kuzuryu, we stood contemplating the Sogenchi Garden at Tenryu-ji Temple. I won't deny feeling something akin to a sense of history or beauty, but I completely lack knowledge in these matters, and my artistic sense is essentially dead. Given that I leave matters of social "common sense" to Ai (the Artificial Intelligence) to handle, I am effectively a very failed human being when you think about it.
『Baby-faced, a virgin, terrible taste in clothes, a useless man, short, zero artistic sense, and a gaming otaku. With these seven traits, you've achieved a 'Haneman' (a high-scoring hand in Mahjong). If you add one more trait, you'll reach 'Baiman' (double the points). Did you know that?』 (Ai)
(Wait, hasn't the count increased? The "short" trait wasn't there before!) (Ōki)
『Since you didn't grow taller between the ages of 16 and 17—the golden period for growth—your status as a 'dwarf' has become a confirmed fact, Master.』 (Ai)
(...Is it because of staying up late and playing games? Still, if we look closely, we could probably find an additional flaw easily.) (Ōki)
『Even without the trouble of searching, if I were to tap your personality slightly, flaws would come flying out like dust.』 (Ai)
Lately, Ai seems to treat me coldly, perhaps because I keep calling him "Junk AI." While he was stabbing me in the back with his harsh words, I went to check on the match's progress. The advantage was already tilting slightly in favor of Tsukuyomizaka-san by the lunch break. This meant things would proceed according to the original story right up to the third round.
"...Do you think Chairman Gekko sent Master Kuzuryu to Tsukuyomizaka-san for this reason?" (Ten'ai)
"Exactly. If the third round doesn't take place, it will be a huge financial loss. That's why he is taking the utmost precautions. Although sponsors agree in advance to the possibility that some rounds in title matches may not be played, those in the Shogi world wish to complete the match series to the end if possible." (Ōki)
When I explained the behind-the-scenes aspects of title matches to Ten'ai, she asked me sarcastically, "What about you, Master?" Yes, I admit it. I am also a player who makes organizers cry. In all the title matches I have played so far, I either win with three consecutive victories or lose with three consecutive defeats. Even the Ban-Ou (King of the Board) tournament ended with three straight wins; it is an unsolvable problem.
...Perhaps for this reason, some voices have begun calling for the revival of the "handicap adjustment after three matches" (Sanban-te-naori) system. This system stipulates that if one side wins three consecutive games in a five or seven-game series, the winner is considered to be at a higher level (Uwate) and is required to play the fourth round giving the opponent a "Lance handicap" (Kyo-ochi). This way, even if the title is decided, the matches continue until the final round, so the sponsors don't lose their money.
In the Ryu-Ou tournament, for example, the amount of money circulating is completely different if the tournament ends in the fourth round compared to the seventh. The old system mandated alternating between even games and "Lance handicap" games after three losses, but the current proposal is different and more extreme.
The new proposal suggests: if a side loses three times in a row in even games (Hirate), then loses three more times while playing against a "Lance handicap" opponent, the seventh round must be played with a "Bishop handicap" (Kaku-ochi)! The tournaments that reach a seventh round are the Meijin, Ryu-Ou, Tei-Ei, Gyosho, and Ken-Ou. In short, this system was devised by those who want to see my bottomless "true strength."
Well, the majority currently opposes this proposal, and it won't be revived. Originally, winning against the Meijin or Kuzuryu with a "Bishop handicap" (playing without a bishop) is difficult even for Ai (the AI), isn't it?
『Matching humans with a "piece handicap" is far more difficult than facing software. If the handicap is the "Bishop," I cannot guarantee an absolute victory.』 (Ai)
(First of all, it is doubtful whether it's even possible to achieve three consecutive wins against Kuzuryu with just a "Lance handicap." Kuzuryu's recent rate of growth is completely abnormal.) (Ōki)
『The mere fact that you realize this means you are also growing at a tremendous speed, Master. ...Well, against Kuzuryu, you could perhaps win once out of every ten games, couldn't you?』 (Ai)
While I was talking to Ten'ai about the future of Shogi, I held a mental conversation with Ai as well. Is a 10% win rate against the current Kuzuryu considered impressive? I feel like Ai is praising me unusually, but at the same time, it feels like he is insulting me.
After the lunch break, I eavesdropped on Kuzuryu lecturing Ai (the disciple) about the harshness of the Shogi world. Since it was relatively important talk, I made Ten'ai listen too. Although it is self-evident, the phrase "The person standing next to you is the first opponent you must crush" could be misunderstood.
"In short, does this mean I have to instill a sense of 'dread' and unease towards me in my master?" (Ten'ai)
"Hey, stop that. Why did you interpret it that way? Although I would like to say: 'Try it if you can.'" (Ōki)
"...I might be capable of that someday. In general, if I am to fight in the Shogi world, this is something obvious that everyone must be prepared for." (Ten'ai)
The sight of Ai (the disciple) listening to Kuzuryu's words with a serious face is rare. As for Ten'ai, she seemed to let the words go in one ear and out the other. Afterward, we were offered accommodation at a hotel provided by Chairman Gekko, but I declined because I had already booked a place. If I had accepted, I might have ended up forced to participate in the match commentary.
"Don't you want to hear the post-match press conference?" (Ten'ai)
"There's no need. Besides, I want to go to the Onsen (Hot Springs)." (Ōki)
"You mean 'Fufu no Yu' (Wind and Wind Hot Springs)? Are we going to the day-trip hot springs and then heading straight to our inn?" (Ten'ai)
"That is what will happen. As for Kuzuryu, it seems he will be hanging around the Shin-Kyogoku area." (Ōki)
Although it is a famous tourist area, booking a little early can secure an inn that serves a delicious dinner. The price is high, but the service is excellent, and honestly, I have excess money. There is nothing left in the computer worth spending huge sums on; I spent about two million yen in total and that was it.
We went to "Fufu no Yu" and were surprised by the extreme crowding, so we had to settle for the bath at the inn, then enjoyed a luxurious dinner. In a moment alone, I automatically received the payment for the night's stay from Ten'ai's bodyguard, even though I hadn't spent that entire amount... I tried to return it, but he said, "No need to return the change." I realized once again the fact that the Yashajin family is obscenely rich.
『Staying overnight in the same inn with an elementary school disciple... Do you possess no awareness of being a title holder?』 (Ai)
(Shut up. Don't use Chairman Gekko's phrases to provoke me. The bedrooms are separate, of course. Besides, thanks to Kuzuryu's series of "crazy" events today and tomorrow, my actions won't attract any attention at all.) (Ōki)
『...We have to thank Tsukuyomizaka-san and the VIP seats then.』 (Ai)
(Those VIP seats—or rather, "Very Important Pedo" seats—were prepared with utter seriousness, which makes me feel the extent of Kuzuryu's influence and power.) (Ōki)
The third round is tomorrow. If things go as planned, it will be "Blindfold Shogi." Just thinking that a female professional can read the complexities of the endgame while blindfolded is amazing, excluding Ten'ai and Ai, who are outside the normal classification. ...This thought itself shows that I was underestimating female professionals. I hope Sora-san and Ten'ai can become professionals (in the men's league) soon, but since the "flags" (indicators) of Sora-san's story have been completely shattered, no one knows what will happen.
...Honestly, a hidden desire has begun to grow in me to make Ten'ai the "first female professional in history," and with my apologies to Sora-san, I do not intend to stop strengthening Ten'ai. Ten'ai's promotion to 2-Dan is imminent, and Sora-san is also achieving consecutive victories after her loss to Konogi, so if the situation continues like this, Ten'ai's promotion to 2-Dan will coincide with Sora-san's promotion to 3-Dan. This means, without a doubt, that they will clash with each other.
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Read +90 chapters ahead on my p.a.t.r.e.o.n : Raven737