All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends

Hinatsuru Ai faced off against Sadatou Ayano.

There wasn't a shred of suspense in the match.

It was practically a complete overwhelming victory.

Kuruno glanced at the board, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily.

"Hey, Ryuuou, how exactly do you usually teach this kid?"

Based on her performance in the entrance test—

Hinatsuru Ai was even stronger than Yukima Azuma had been back in the day.

A true little monster.

Kuruno couldn't contain his curiosity. Just what kind of training had Yukima Azuma given her to create such a terrifying prodigy?

"Usually, Ai plays against me, Ginko-senpai, um… and also Sainokami Ika."

Yukima Azuma answered honestly.

Raising Hinatsuru Ai had been fairly simple.

Aside from training her in fundamental knowledge—

She just needed to keep playing against the three of them.

Skill? Just play a lot, and you'll get the hang of it.

Hearing this, Kuruno found himself at a loss for words.

Are you serious?

You let a child train against Ryuuou, Queen, and Emperor?! (Note: I don't know what Ika's title is, wiki doesn't have it. So I leave it as is according to the author.)

This is offense, this is defense, and this is Ashina Isshin.

Aren't you guys just camping at the newbie village gate and farming fresh spawns?!

Any normal kid subjected to this kind of "training" would have quit ages ago!

—

"I lost."

While they were talking, Sadatou Ayano had already admitted defeat.

Around them, the research club students erupted in astonishment.

"That fast?!"

"As expected of Little Ryuuou!"

"She's way too strong!"

Since Hinatsuru Ai was Yukima Azuma's disciple, she had earned the nickname "Little Ryuuou."

Despite the shower of praise—

She didn't show a trace of arrogance or complacency.

Instead, she bowed respectfully to Sadatou Ayano in a properly disciplined manner.

"Thank you for the match."

This attitude made Ayano, who had just lost, feel much better.

"You're amazing..." she sincerely praised.

Hinatsuru Ai smiled. "Not at all, I was just lucky."

At that moment, Kuruno stepped forward.

"Next match, play against me."

Having Hinatsuru Ai face off against the other students no longer held much meaning.

Kuruno had no choice but to step in himself.

Of course, as a professional 7-dan player, he couldn't play against her on equal footing.

He removed his Bishop and Rook from the board.

A two-piece handicap—and even sacrificing his Rook on top of that.

Kuruno felt this was a serious way to approach the match.

But Yukima Azuma, watching from the side, shook his head.

—

"I heard Ryuuou is bringing his disciple for the entrance exam today?"

"Ryuuou, last time you vanished in the middle of an interview—this time, you're caught."

"Let me see... Kuruno-sensei is playing himself?"

A few people gathered.

They were Tokyo Shogi Association staff, reporters, and professional players.

After all, this was a professional institution.

News spread fast.

At first, these adults were focused on Yukima Azuma, planning to chat with him.

But after a single glance at the shogi board—

Their attention immediately snapped to the game.

Because the match had only just begun.

And yet, Kuruno, a professional 7-dan player, was already at a disadvantage.

Cold sweat trickled down Kuruno's forehead.

He had already anticipated that Hinatsuru Ai was extremely strong—likely at Shoureikai level.

But he hadn't expected her to be this strong.

Even with a Rook handicap, he had still been too careless.

Previously, while observing the match between Hinatsuru Ai and Sadatou Ayano—

Kuruno had noticed that Ai's playstyle mainly focused on stable defense.

It made sense. After all, the opponents she regularly faced were far stronger than her.

Playing it safe was the only logical choice; otherwise, she'd be crushed in an instant.

So, Kuruno deliberately chose an overwhelmingly aggressive approach.

But unexpectedly—

Hinatsuru Ai suddenly changed her style.

Like a sword unsheathed, she immediately pushed Kuruno into a disadvantageous position.

Kuruno had no idea.

When playing against Sainokami Ika, Hinatsuru Ai could achieve nearly a 50% win rate.

If she only knew how to defend, she would have zero chance of winning against Sainokami Ika.

The only reason she had a 50% win rate—

Was because she knew how to attack.

And not just attack—it was her natural talent.

Of course—

If her opponent was Sora Ginko, someone who knew her playstyle inside out, she would be utterly crushed.

But against a genius shogi player who was facing her for the first time—

The sword named Hinatsuru Ai was frighteningly sharp.

"I lost."

Kuruno stood up, his expression... difficult to describe.

But judging from his face, he wasn't faring much better than Sadatou Ayano.

Absolutely ridiculous.

What kind of exam was this supposed to be?

The Research Club's training system didn't just focus on fundamental techniques and gradually improving students' skill levels.

The most important aspect—

Was to make students hit the rookie wall early.

Many prodigies, when playing in regular dojo clubs, could effortlessly crush their opponents.

This was because—

Most of the players they faced in those dojos were strangers.

By relying on their specialized techniques, these prodigies could create gameplay scenarios far beyond their actual skill level.

But once they stepped onto the professional path—

They would be thoroughly analyzed and countered.

At that point, when their familiar techniques were dismantled, these prodigies would slam into a brutal wall of reality and could be completely shattered.

The Research Club's role—

Was to be that wall, allowing players to face reality sooner.

But for Hinatsuru Ai—

She knew both attack and defense, and her strategic range was vast enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Even if she were to hit the rookie wall—

It wouldn't be here.

Kuruno was completely convinced.

This child—she was just like Yukima Azuma.

Coming to the Research Club was nothing more than a formality.

—

"Ryuuou, you handle the third match yourself."

Kuruno spoke.

Originally, he had planned for Sora Ginko to play the third match to analyze Ai further.

But looking at the situation now—

Even Sora Ginko, if forced to give a two-piece handicap or more, might not be able to completely crush Hinatsuru Ai.

But if they played without handicaps—

That wouldn't be appropriate.

At that point, what would differentiate the Research Club from any random dojo?

So—

Whoever caused the problem should solve it.

"This isn't quite right, I'm her master."

Yukima Azuma pointed at himself.

Kuruno rolled his eyes.

What, do I need to run upstairs and drag down an 8-dan or 9-dan player now?

In the end, Kuruno shoved Yukima Azuma into the match room.

—

When the Research Club students saw Yukima Azuma enter—

They immediately became excited.

Meanwhile, Hinatsuru Ai—

Who had already been tense, now became even more focused.

"Shishou!"

"Umu, I'll be your opponent for the third match."

"I'll give it my all! Even if you're my Shishou!"

Just like Kuruno, Yukima Azuma removed two pieces from his board.

The match began.

Hinatsuru Ai was fired up!

Yukima Azuma fell into a disadvantage.

Yukima Azuma made blunders.

Yukima Azuma was cornered.

Yukima Azuma struggled desperately.

Yukima Azuma gave his victory speech after winning.

Hinatsuru Ai pouted.

She really lost!

She couldn't even win a little!

Even though the girl was a little saddened by her defeat.

The professional shogi players watching from the sidelines—

Couldn't help but be astonished.

Yukima Azuma stepping in—

Had fully exposed the true strength of Hinatsuru Ai.

This was not the level a mere elementary school student should have.

The word "prodigy" was no longer sufficient to describe her.

There was only one way to put it—

This girl was a monster.

When the two of them stepped outside—

Kuruno said, "Let's go, I'll take everyone to complete the membership procedures."

Now he finally understood why, after Yukima Azuma finished his match in the Ryuuou tournament, it took him an entire month before bringing Hinatsuru Ai to the Research Club.

She had truly come here just to go through the formalities.

Tomorrow was the preliminary round of the Mynavi Women's Open Shogi tournament.

If she could make it into the main bracket and win a single match—

She would be granted the title of professional female shogi player.

That was equivalent to reaching Class C1 in the Research Club.

A direct leap from Class F to Class C.

If she continued to secure a few more wins in the main bracket—

She might even advance straight to Class B in the Research Club.

And if she could reach A1 or A2—

She could be promoted directly into the Shoureikai.

…

After completing the formalities—

Yukima Azuma and the others left the Shogi Association.

They needed to rest and prepare for the official match tomorrow.

In the Edogawa district, there was a branch of Hinatsuru Ryokan.

The group headed straight there to rest.

As soon as they stepped into the room—

"Wow! These are the new furnishings that Mom mentioned?"

Hinatsuru Ai's eyes sparkled as she ran around the room, inspecting everything.

The Tokyo branch of Hinatsuru Ryokan had officially been equipped with smart furniture from Laplace Corporation.

Yukima Azuma connected to the app.

Out of habit—

The curtains automatically opened.

After checking the room's humidity, the humidifier began operating.

Seeing this, the girls couldn't help but gasp in admiration.

After playing around with the features for a while—

The novelty gradually wore off, and they calmed down to prepare for rest.

After finishing dinner—

Before going to sleep—

Suddenly, there was a knock on Yukima Azuma's door.

When he opened it—

He saw Hinatsuru Ai standing there in her pajamas.

"What's wrong?" Yukima Azuma patted her head.

( ´･･)ﾉ(._.`)

While patting her head, he also glanced around—looking for the FBI.

FBI: ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)

Hinatsuru Ai seemed like she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Even though she had outstanding shogi skills—

And immense confidence in her abilities.

Still, tomorrow was her first official match.

Nervousness was inevitable.

After all, Hinatsuru Ai—

Was still just an elementary school student.

Moreover, she was competing in this tournament under the title of Ryuuou's disciple.

If she lost—

There would definitely be people saying that she had embarrassed Yukima Azuma.

For Hinatsuru Ai—

That was absolutely unacceptable.

So, the pressure on her was immense.

"Shishou… could you give me something… that would make me feel like you're with me?"

Hinatsuru Ai said something that sounded rather dangerous.

FBI: (≖_≖ )

Yukima Azuma, upon hearing this, nodded.

"Umu, go rest early. I'll prepare something for you."

This wasn't a difficult request at all.

Besides, Yukima Azuma had already prepared something in advance.

Hearing this, Hinatsuru Ai cheered happily:

"Shishou is the best!"

ヾ(｡✪ω✪｡)ｼ

The pressure in her heart eased significantly, and she returned to her room.