Shogi Reborn: Mind's Gambit

While eagerly anticipating the start of the original story, I checked the schedule for the match between Kaminabe and Kuzuryu in the Emperor's League. One day, I received a summons from Tsukimitsu, the president of the Japan Shogi Federation, who also happened to be my master. Technically, he was only my master on paper. We hadn't spent much time together, making it a purely formal arrangement. This type of master-disciple relationship isn't uncommon in the modern shogi world.

I never referred to him as "Master Tsukimitsu" but rather "President Tsukimitsu," and he didn't seem to mind. Ours was a very dry and businesslike relationship.

"It's been a while, President Tsukimitsu," I greeted him.

"Indeed, it has. The last time we met was during the Asahi Cup match," he replied.

In the shogi world, it's considered an act of gratitude when a disciple defeats their master. However, our match was probably one of the rare cases where there was no emotional resonance or drama attached to the so-called "act of gratitude." Not surprising, given that he'd never even played a teaching match with me.

"So, what brings you here today?"

"Well, let's get straight to the point. I'd like you to take on a disciple."

"A... disciple?"

The request was for me to take on a disciple, and it became clear this was about Ayano Yakushigami becoming my student.

…Wait, why me?

(Isn't this weird? I'm neither a titleholder nor an A-rank shogi player!)"The Asahi Cup is practically a minor title. Do you really think there's a surplus of idle titleholders or A-rank players available?"

(What about Kuzuryu!? Oh, right, he's on a five-game losing streak!)

"Two wins and nine losses after taking the Ryuo title... Yeah, that's rough. By the way, if you embarrass yourself in front of Ayano, you can 100% dodge this responsibility."

"She's a nine-year-old third grader and the granddaughter of a businessman who supports the shogi community," President Tsukimitsu explained.

"Nine years old, huh. Does that mean she's aiming to become a women's professional player?"

"That hasn't been confirmed yet, but probably. Also, she insists her master must be either an A-rank player or a titleholder."

"Well, I'm not a titleholder. How about Kuzuryu, the Ryuo?"

"Kuzuryu is going through a difficult time right now. Could you look after her at least until May, when she takes the training group exam?"

The conversation moved forward at lightning speed, and before I knew it, I had accepted. Apparently, several other shogi players had turned down the offer, as mentioned in the anime or manga, but it seems she really had been rejected by them.

…Seriously, what do I do now?

"There's always the chance she'll reject you outright, so why not just show up and see how it goes?"

(Yeah, you're right. Alright, here we are. …Wait, this place looks like something straight out of a yakuza movie!)

"If it comes to a fight, there's a 99.97% chance you'll die, so please refrain from doing anything disrespectful."

(Stop saying scary things! Wait, does that mean I can't mess up? I can't afford to make a fool of myself!)

The person sent to pick me up was Akira Ikeda, a prominent character in the original story known for her devotion to Ayano. As I watched the sunglasses-wearing beauty approach at breakneck speed, I couldn't help but think, Sunglasses look so cool on a beautiful woman.

"Could it be… the real Haruo Oki, Sixth-Dan? Is that really you?"

"Um, yes, I am the real Haruo Oki. I'm surprised you know my full name."

"Of course I do! After all, your 29-game winning streak was all over the news! Please, this way."

It seemed Akira knew who I was, so it looked like I'd at least make it to the meeting. She nudged me forward, and as I stepped through the gate, I was greeted by an unsettling sight.

Men wearing sunglasses were lined up on both sides, bowing deeply. Akira called out, "The teacher has arrived!" and in unison, the men responded with a deep, gravelly, "Thank you for coming, sir!" It was terrifying. That supposed 0.03% survival rate? A lie. It's 0%. I'm absolutely sure I wouldn't make it out alive in a place like this.

I was led further inside, where an elderly man awaited. His name… well, I'd forgotten. We'd never met before, though.

"So, Haruo Oki has arrived. I'm familiar with your accomplishments. I am Koten Yakushigami, the head of this household."

"I'm Haruo Oki. I came here at the request of President Tsukimitsu."

"If President Tsukimitsu has recommended you, then there's no issue. Please, come this way."

We exchanged introductions and small talk. Koten Yakushigami, Ayano's grandfather, guided me to her room. Inside was a captivatingly beautiful girl in a black outfit—Ayano Yakushigami.

"I'm not going to call you my master," she declared abruptly.

Ah, the usual rude opening line. But seriously, Koten-san isn't going to say anything about this? Nope, nothing. Got it.

"Don't get the wrong idea. You're just a paid instructor. I don't want some second-rate player who got lucky with a 29-game streak pretending to be my master."

With that, Ayano began setting up the shogi pieces. Wait, I wasn't being shown the door?

"…Your fame has spread too far. I forgot how low your self-assessment is, Master. It seems they have no intention of turning away someone as well-known as you."

(Seriously? Well, I guess I should at least go through the motions of teaching.)

Sitting across from her, I couldn't help but notice she was a stunningly beautiful girl who would undoubtedly grow up to be even more so. Since I doubted we'd have any meaningful conversation after the match, I decided to do all my teaching during the game itself.

"What's with that move? It's completely free!" she snapped.

The match began as a handicap game with two pieces removed. I launched an aggressive attack, handing her pieces as I captured them, while systematically shutting down Ayano's counterattacks. Although her strength lay in defensive play—a style even the Ryuo praised—I wanted to gauge her offensive potential.

I repeatedly dismantled her attacks and handed her my pieces for free. By the second time, she caught on and launched an aggressive counterattack, her expression seething with frustration. Still, her offense wasn't quite there yet. Well, considering she's a third grader, her strength is extraordinary.

At this level, she could already qualify to join the Shogi Training Group. Though her play was still a bit rough around the edges due to her age, her defensive skills would soon reach a level sufficient for the group. With further refinement, she might even become a professional shogi player someday.

"...If it's just about training her to become Ai's rival, even I can do that. Oh, I see. This girl has been self-taught until now. And I'm known as someone who supposedly became strong through self-study.

Well, of course, I'd seem like the most suitable choice. Right, I should confirm this with her guardian, just in case.

"Has she been studying shogi on her own up until now?"

"Yes, entirely self-taught. There's no one in the family who plays shogi…"

As we played, I asked Koten-san about Ayano's background. Ayano was stubbornly trying to read my attacking lines, but it was only a matter of time before she self-destructed.

"For someone self-taught, she's remarkably skilled. However, her methods so far have been highly inefficient."

This was the first time Ayano's anger flared. For the first time, her eyes truly focused on me. It must have been my remark about inefficiency that struck a nerve.

"I achieved strength through self-study. I'm probably the first person to have reached the professional level entirely on their own. I believe I can teach her various methods to grow strong on her own."

"What?! Are you already acting like you've won? The match isn't over yet—"

"It's over. It's been over for a while now."

I finished the match by delivering an immediate checkmate to Ayano's king, which I had been ignoring until the end. She hadn't realized her position was already lost. When it dawned on her, she burst into tears and ran off.

"Master Oki, I humbly entrust Ayano to your care."

Watching Ayano's retreating figure, I couldn't help but think, Wasn't this how it played out in the original story too? With that thought lingering in my mind, I left the estate.

…Isn't this basically the start of the original story? Though, I guess the real starting point is Ai meeting Kuzuryu. Even so, I should've refused when President Tsukimitsu approached me. Somehow, I felt a sense of connection when I heard she was self-taught.

'So, what's your plan?'

(Hmm… I'll teach her the training methods I used back then. That alone was enough to make me a Junior High Champion.)

'Those methods worked because it was you. Without me supporting you, you would've quit halfway through, wouldn't you?'

(Shut up. Just figure out other ways to help Ayano grow stronger, freeloader.)

'…Could it be you've fallen for Ayano?'

(90% sympathy, 10% curiosity. Relax.)

'…That's absolutely the worst.'

(No one knows better than me what a piece of trash I am. But at least I can keep up appearances in public.)

And so, I began brainstorming training methods for Ayano. At this point, I was already her self-proclaimed mentor—a so-called second-rate shogi player in every sense.

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