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 childshe 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.
( )(._.`)
While patting her head, he also glanced aroundlooking for the FBI.
FBI: ( ® ®)
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!"
()
The pressure in her heart eased significantly, and she returned to her room.
Chapter 214: A Thank Kiss in the Morning
The next day.
Hinatsuru Ai drowsily opened her eyes.
(-)
Her long brown hair was slightly messy after a night's sleep.
Only the ahoge on her head remained full of energy, gently swaying.
Rubbing her eyes, Hinatsuru Ai sat up, preparing to wash her face.
But just as she lifted the blanket
She discovered a large brocade pouch placed beside her pillow.
At first, Hinatsuru Ai was slightly startled.
Then, anticipation filled her face.
( )
Opening the brocade pouch, inside was a folding fan.
She pulled the fan out, her fingers gently caressing the frame
Then, little by little, she unfolded it.
The fan's surface gradually spread open before her eyes.
There were only two simple characters: "Jing Hong."
(note: google: means a startled wild goose. It is used to describe the graceful figure of a beautiful woman. It is also used to refer to a beautiful woman or an old love who has a graceful figure.)
In the corner was Yukima Azuma's signature.
The strokes were bold and decisive, no less than those of a calligraphy master.
After all, these were Kanji characters.
As long as it wasn't written in Katakana, perhaps there was no one in all of Tokyo who could write Kanji more beautifully than Yukima Azuma.
Hinatsuru Ai stared intently at the two characters "Jing Hong," flowing like soaring dragons and dancing phoenixes.
A smile gradually became uncontrollable.
A joyful cheer rang out from her room.
At that moment, Yukima Azuma had just returned from his morning run.
Hearing Hinatsuru Ai's delighted laughter, Yukima Azuma smiled slightly.
In fact, he had spent a long time deciding what to write on the fan for Hinatsuru Ai.
Most shogi players wrote their personal aspirations on their fans.
Or words of self-reminder.
But Yukima Azuma felt that it wasn't necessary.
Hinatsuru Ai, at this moment, lacked neither courage nor confidence.
She would undoubtedly shine.
Her future would be a broad and boundless path.
So what was there to remind her of?
As for wishes, although Yukima Azuma was Hinatsuru Ai's master,
Such aspirations were best left for her to contemplate herself.
After much thought, Yukima Azuma ultimately decided to gift Hinatsuru Ai with a blessing of "Jing Hong."
Her future would be a dazzling spectacle, like a soaring crimson bird.
Retracting his gaze, Yukima Azuma stretched.
Lately, his morning runs seemed to have little effect on him anymore.
Even after extending his running distance,
There was still no notification of an increase in stamina.
After his physical attribute reached eight points,
Yukima Azuma's physique had a small breakthrough.
Now, it seemed that regular exercise was becoming ineffective for further enhancement.
Level seven skills were a milestone.
And for attributes, it seemed that eight points was the threshold.
Even though he had hit a bottleneck, Yukima Azuma wasn't too concerned.
If he couldn't break through, so be it.
It wasn't like he had any plans to compete in the Olympics or anything.
If there was still no progress after a few more days,
Then there would be no need for him to continue morning training.
After all, stamina and physique were provided by the system; they wouldn't degrade just because he stopped training.
That was one of the greatest advantages of the system.
Whether skills or attributes
Once acquired, they would never deteriorate over time just because of a lack of practice.
Just as Yukima Azuma was about to return to his room to change,
Suddenly, a door in the hallway swung open.
Yukima Azuma looked over and then smiled, waving his hand.
"Ginko-senpai, good morning!"
Sora Ginko was still wearing her adorable sky-blue pajamas at this moment.
Upon seeing Yukima Azuma, she instinctively lowered her head, her gaze shifting downward.
(>/////< )
Her left hand grasped her right wrist.
On her wrist was a deep blue bracelet.
It seemed to be woven from silver threads, with a small gemstone inlaid in gold as its centerpiece.
Overall, it resembled a miniature crown.
The gemstone was like the jewel adorning that crown.
This bracelet, of course, was a gift from Yukima Azuma.
Having carefully chosen a present for his disciple,
It was only natural that Yukima Azuma wouldn't play favorites and forget about his Ginko.
Her fingers gently brushed over the gemstone, warmed by her body heat.
The tension in her heart from her upcoming match suddenly eased.
All anxiety vanished completely, leaving only a lingering sweetness.
"I... I really like it."
(>/////<)
Sora Ginko whispered.
"As long as you like it, that's all that matters. I picked this gift especially for Ginko-senpai."
"I figured Ginko-senpai would like it too. After all, you're the Queenyou must love crowns, right?"
Yukima Azuma replied with a smile.
Sora Ginko wanted to say that as long as it was a gift from Yukima Azuma, she would love it no matter what.
But no matter how she looked at it, she couldn't deny it
This particular gift, she liked especially much.
This tiny silver-threaded crown had struck right at the heart of her maiden soul.
What girl wouldn't love such a gift?
Yukima Azuma's thoughtfulness made Sora Ginko want to jump into his arms right then and there.
Her cheeks gradually turned red.
Sora Ginko looked up and weakly gestured toward Yukima Azuma,
As if signaling for him to lean in closer.
Yukima Azuma was a little puzzled.
But he still lowered his head slightly,
Wanting to hear what Sora Ginko had to say.
However, what awaited him was only a soft "Muah~"
( ( `)
The next second, Sora Ginko immediately dashed back into her room.
(o)
Yukima Azuma touched his cheek, the spot where he had just been kissed.
Unbelievable.
His Tsundere-senpai had actually kissed him voluntarily?!
But then again if it had been on the lips instead of the cheek, that would have been even better.
Thinking of this, Yukima Azuma chuckled and shook his head.
That was greedy.
There was no need to rush things.
Senpai was still young, after all.
While Yukima Azuma was still standing there grinning foolishly
Kiyotaki Keika stepped out of her room.
Seeing her kouhai standing in the hallway with such an idiotic expression,
As a Great Senpai, Kiyotaki Keika couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Had something just happened?
If Kiyotaki Keika found out that both Sora Ginko and Hinatsuru Ai had received gifts
No matter how mature she was, she would probably roll her eyes.
Didn't you say you wouldn't play favorites?
10:00 AM.
After washing up and changing, the girls gathered in the hotel lobby.
The Mynavi Women's Tournament was about to officially begin.
After receiving their "spiritual treasures," Hinatsuru Ai and Sora Ginko had both calmed their minds.
Sainokami Ika, needless to say, had never been the type to worry in the first place.
On the contrary, Kiyotaki Keikawho had seemed relaxed earlier
Now looked a little nervous.
"Good luck. I'll be cheering for you all from the commentary room."
Yukima Azuma offered encouragement to the girls.
Upon arriving at the tournament hall, Yukima Azuma immediately split from the group.
The participants headed to draw lots for the preliminary groupings,
While Yukima Azuma went straight to the commentary room.
As the Ryuuou, the Shogi Association had roped him into being a commentator.
It was understandableafter all, the Association was eager to promote Yukima Azuma outside the shogi world,
Building him up as a star figure.
Opportunities like this to appear in public?
Of course, they would do everything they could to push him into the spotlight.
Naturally, he would be paid for his time.
Seated alongside Yukima Azuma in the commentary room was Kugui Machi.
She was a young girl with long, straight black hair, with the tips dyed a faint purple.
Carrying an air of nobility, she was the daughter of a family that ran a tourism business in Tokyo.
At the same time, Kugui Machi was also a female shogi player and currently held the "Yamashiro Sakura" title.
(Note: Her wiki doesn't have much info, and it seems like her profile picture is wrong, so I'm not sure if this is accurate or not.)
Incidentally,
Kugui Machi and Sadatou Ayanothe girl who played against Hinatsuru Ai last timewere senpai and kouhai.
"The young Ryuuou-san, good morning."
