<Post-Match: The Death God>
"............"
In a darkened hospital room where the light was shut out, a haggard woman lay sleeping. She was surrounded by various medical devices—IV drips, an oxygen mask—her eyes closed in silence.
The man who had been sitting beside her with his head bowed stood up, glancing at the battered watch on his wrist.
He opened the heavy door, left the room, and walked down the hallway.
At the hospital entrance, an old man with a white beard was waiting for him near a luxury car in the parking lot.
"Are you finished already, Wataru?"
"Yeah."
The car door was opened, and the man called Wataru climbed inside with an arrogant air. The door was slammed shut, and the driver pulled out, the rhythmic clicking of the turn signal echoing in the air.
"..."
"..."
In the silence of the car, which was thick enough to block out even the sound of the rain, the old man handed a piece of paper to the man.
"I don't need it. It's gonna be the same members anyway."
"No, there has been an upset. ──In the West District."
Intrigued by the old man’s words, the man took the paper and looked over the contents with an annoyed expression.
"Nishigasaki Branch...? Is this a school?"
"It’s where Munakata is."
"Ah... right. He was saying something about interests and rights."
"...We’re getting off track. That’s not the issue. ──Look at the result of the captain’s match."
"...Tenryu Kazuki lost?"
Silence filled the car once again.
Tenryu Kazuki was one of the top amateur players. He was the winner of the previous Yellow Dragon Tournament and was, quite literally, the favorite to win.
Although Tenryu had been quiet for nearly a year since winning the Yellow Dragon Tournament, the records of this district tournament showed that his skills were still very much intact.
In Shogi, there is always the element of "luck"—the difference in one's natural fortune—but the idea of Tenryu Kazuki losing was almost unthinkable.
The fact that someone had defeated him was an event far too significant to be contained within the small frame of a district tournament.
"Hmm... I just thought of something good."
"What are you planning?"
"As long as I win in the end, it doesn't matter, right?"
The man crumpled the paper in his hand as if it were nothing.
The paper contained detailed information on players from other districts besides the West, meticulously noting the characteristics of the representatives who would be moving on to the next tournament.
The title of the paper was ── <Yellow Dragon Tournament: Prefectural Tournament>.
◇
<Digital Edition Exclusive Bonus: Volume 2 Sneak Peek>
'Suspicions of Cheating by Student Team Captain (Yellow Dragon Tournament: Behind the Scenes)'
Anonymous 1:
The reason Yellow Dragon Tournament King Tenryu Kazuki lost... there are "software cheating" suspicions floating around about his opponent. Check out the match record.
Anonymous 2:
I knew that weird comeback was fishy...
Anonymous 3:
The timing of that Bishop sacrifice was bizarre. No human could play that.
Anonymous 4:
Word is that sacrifice was actually the Shogi software’s top recommendation.
Anonymous 5:
Heard Tenryu lost and checked the record. It’s seriously alien.
Anonymous 6:
The quality of his moves from the mid-game onward isn't human. He got too strong too fast.
Anonymous 7:
The fact that he’s some "unknown high schooler" is the sketchiest part.
Anonymous 8:
This is report-level stuff.
Anonymous 9:
Didn't the tournament have cameras? If he was using earphones or leaving his seat, he's busted.
Anonymous 10:
Anyone who plays Shogi knows. That’s not a move you see in a district tournament.
Anonymous 11:
It’s a complete botting record. They need to investigate.
Anonymous 12:
So, what’s this problem player’s name?
Anonymous 13:
12 Watanabe Mikado.
◇
The Yellow Dragon Tournament district tournament ended, and the small fervor that had erupted in the West District cooled as the sun rose.
Early Monday morning. Behind the school building, Aoi Rena was leaning against a narrow wall, scrolling through her phone.
"..."
The cold expression on her face was far removed from her usual self. The beauty she usually meticulously maintained felt wasted in this moment.
The sound of rustling bushes echoed. Aoi’s eyes snapped toward the sound, and she felt a momentary sense of relief when she saw the boy who appeared.
"You've got a pretty scary look on your face."
The person who appeared was Hayato Sakuma, a student one year her senior. Hayato snorted at Aoi’s cold expression, looking exasperated.
"...What do you want?"
Aoi didn't move an inch. If anything, she seemed indifferent to her own situation, only responding because Hayato had spoken to her.
Hayato addressed her with mock concern.
"I just thought I’d congratulate my junior for her big performance at the tournament."
"...Gross. Don't say things you don't mean. That side of you is seriously chilling."
When Aoi brushed him off, Hayato laughed.
Aoi put her phone in her pocket and slowly straightened up. She crossed her arms behind her back, tilting her body slightly as she gave Hayato a seductive smile.
"What does it matter what I do? ──You hate him too, don't you?"
Hayato crossed his arms as he answered.
"...Yeah. I hate him from the bottom of my heart."
His words were laced with jealousy and resentment. The pure malice in his voice made his hatred seem like an undeniable truth.
"Then 'his disappearance' would be convenient for you too, right?"
With a devilish demeanor, Aoi continued.
"──Don't get in my way, okay?"
Hayato didn't answer immediately. After a brief moment of thought, he spoke.
"...I don't care about anything as long as this club wins the nationals."
"Ahaha! Nationals? Are you serious?"
"I am."
"That's reckless."
Aoi burst out laughing, as if it were a joke. She mocked the very idea as an impossibility. Even in the face of such provocation, Hayato remained calm.
"Better than what you’re trying to do, I'd say."
"...Did you say something?"
"Nothing. Do whatever you want. I don't care what you do to that guy──to Watanabe Mikado. I’m going to give it my all to win the prefectural tournament."
"Hmm, whatever. Good luck with that."
Aoi started to walk away, acting as if the conversation were trivial.
"Well, I'm going now. ──What?"
She stopped and looked back at Hayato, who seemed like he still wanted to say something.
"Nothing... I just thought if you could talk normally, you should do it more often. What’s the point of that act you put on?"
"...Annoying."
Hayato’s comment seemed to strike a nerve. Without another word, Aoi turned on her heel and walked away.
"Annoying, huh? I am your senior, you know..."
◇
On Monday morning, I walked through my usual daily routine.
I was still tired from the tournament, but the sense of accomplishment outweighed the fatigue.
"U-um... Good morning, Mikado-senpai."
I heard Raizaki Natsu's voice and turned around. There she was, looking like a wreck, her face pale as she greeted me.
"Ah, morning. Good for you, showing up to school."
"Well... it was a promise..."
After winning the Yellow Dragon Tournament, we had secured our spot in the prefectural tournament and the title of district champions.
At that time, Takebayashi-senpai had said:
'The prefectural tournament will be even more about trust! So, let’s focus on deepening our bonds and fighting as one!'
It was a bit of a "power of friendship" speech, but Takebayashi-senpai had made it our first priority for the Shogi club members to get along better.
Naturally, the truant Natsu was the primary target, and she was told in no uncertain terms that she had to at least show her face at the Shogi club. That was why she was here so early in the morning.
"You seem pretty down. Are you okay?"
"A-ah, yes... I'm always like this in the morning... and I have a headache..."
Natsu forced a smile, trying to hide her discomfort.
Maybe it was the result of over-concentrating, or maybe just simple fatigue. She had been in that state of intense focus for a long time during the latter half of the tournament, so it was no wonder her head hurt. My own head was throbbing a bit, too.
"I have to say... back then, you were like a witch. Your presence was incredible."
"Ugh... that’s embarrassing, please forget it."
"Why? You were cool."
Natsu turned her face away, her cheeks flushing red.
"...Th-thank you..."
She whispered in a tiny voice.
During the tournament, I had pushed all distractions aside, but looking at Natsu now in her school uniform, she really was as beautiful as a doll. It’s not right to judge people solely on their looks, but it felt like a waste for her to be a shut-in when she was so charming.
"...By the way, isn't the individual tournament today?"
"Yes, it seems Tojo-senpai is competing."
It was Monday, but the Yellow Dragon Tournament district tournament was still ongoing. Sunday was for the team event, and Monday was for individuals.
Tojo was the sole representative for Nishigasaki High in the individual category. I was a bit jealous that she got to officially miss school, but fighting all alone seemed like it would be lonely. Especially right after the team event.
"We couldn't compete this time, but since we won the team event, we can participate in the next individual tournament."
"Do you plan on entering the next one, Natsu?"
"Of course. Thanks to you, Mikado-senpai, I was able to break through my wall. I want to see how far I can go now."
As expected of Natsu, she was highly motivated and had a lot of room for growth. I couldn't afford to slack off either.
"...I'm sorry. I'm going to go buy some headache medicine at the convenience store, so I'll see you later."
"Are you sure you're okay? If it's really bad, you should rest..."
"No, I've always pampered myself and stayed home before. This time, I'm going to be stubborn and go to school."
What a backbone. Natsu had a surprisingly stubborn side, in a good way.
"Alright. See you later."
"Yes!"
I parted ways with Natsu and headed toward the school.
◇
After parting ways with Mikado-senpai in front of the school, I didn't head to the convenience store. Instead, I sat down on a nearby bench.
Then, I took out my phone and started playing online Shogi.
(...I just wanted to walk to school with him, but I'd get in trouble if I said that.)
My headache was real, and I really did intend to go to school. But my fingers had moved on their own to start a match.
(Oh, a 6-Dan... someone I would have struggled with before.)
My opponent was a high-ranked player like myself. The 5-Dan to 7-Dan range is known as a "demon's nest," filled with information-savvy players who use the latest strategies and tactics. Aside from the monsters at 8-Dan and above, this is the most difficult rank to pass. In fact, I hadn't been able to break out of 7-Dan easily.
──But there had been a turning point for me.
The district tournament the other day. When I couldn't break out of my shell, Mikado-senpai had given me a gentle push.
The sensation of being immersed in sharp logic, the feeling of omnipotence where my hands moved unconsciously... that feeling was still in my body, even days later.
High-ranked players weren't scary to me anymore.
Ten moves, twenty moves, thirty moves. The precision of my moves increased with every turn, and it felt wonderful. I could feel myself growing in a way I never had before.
I don't know how much time had passed. Before I knew it, the word "Victory" was displayed on my phone screen.
"──You're strong."
"Hieee?!"
My back stiffened. Someone had suddenly spoken to me from behind, and I almost dropped my phone.
I turned around to see a young woman with white hair. She looked a bit older than me... but probably not even twenty.
She was leaning against the back of the bench, peering over my shoulder at my phone. She might have been watching the whole match.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I startle you?"
"Wh-who are you...?"
"Just a sister passing by."
"..."
She was a bit too baby-faced to be called "seductive," but she had an air that was far too demonic to be called "youthful." This self-proclaimed "sister passing by" gave me a gentle smile and leaned closer.
I caught a glimpse of her eyes through the shadow of her brilliant white bangs and gasped.
(Wait, heterochromia...?)
One eye was a dark red that seemed like it would pull you into an abyss, and the other was a beautiful silver that held no trace of emotion. The colors that made her up were as vivid as a poisonous flower in full bloom.
"Oh, <Bishop Exchange>? How modern."
The woman sat down on the bench next to me and glanced at my phone screen. She pointed at the screen with her white-gloved hand.
"That Knight jump was the key."
"...You can tell?"
"Yes. Once the Silver moves, you can attack the edge and break through all at once. That feels pretty good, doesn't it? When the Bishop you couldn't use suddenly becomes active."
My eyes sparkled at her words.
Research is something that no one is supposed to understand, something that must not be understood. You use it against enemies, and there’s no one there to praise you for it. And yet, she had understood it at a glance.
"Are you an expert in <Bishop Exchange>...?"
"Hmm."
When I asked, she put a finger to her chin, as if searching through her memories. Then, as if remembering, she tilted her head slightly.
"I don't think I've ever played it once."
"...Eh?"
I didn't understand.
"But you just talked like you play it..."
"I just remembered seeing an acquaintance play it. I don't really understand Shogi very well."
I was shocked.
"Wait, you don't play?"
"I do. I just don't understand it very well. Just like you."
Her tone suddenly shifted to something more provocative. Even so, I picked up on the meaning behind her words and sensed that she was a beginner.
The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.
"...I see."
──Oh, why didn't I notice how "unnatural" it was that I was talking to her so "naturally"?
My hand reached out toward the poisonous flower──.
"Then, would you like to play a game with me?"
"...With you? Me?"
"Yes. Oh, I'll set up a room that doesn't require an account. If you have a phone, we can start right away."
The woman seemed to think about my offer for a moment.
"...And besides. If you play against me, you might understand Shogi a little better, don't you think?" I said with a smile.
I wasn't angry. I just wanted to correct her since she thought I didn't understand Shogi at all.
"I see. Then I'll take you up on that for one game."
The woman curled the corners of her mouth into a smile. In the blink of an eye, she had her phone in her hand—I don't even know where she pulled it from—and our match began.
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