Cough cough, getting off track here.
In front of the shogi board
The Meijin stood up.
He shook hands with Yukima Azuma.
This moment was almost identical to a match long ago, back when Yukima Azuma was still a child.
Back then, the Meijin had also stood, extended a handshake to Yukima Azuma.
A trace of unwillingness lingered on his face.
That unwillingness back then may have been due to not yet unlocking the full truth of shogi.
But nowthere was more resignation in his defeat.
Of course, whatever the reason, Yukima Azuma didn't particularly care.
If he won, greatit satisfied his desire to compete and emerge victorious.
If he lost, Yukima Azuma wouldn't be hung up on it either.
At most, he'd just go home, crawl into his senpai's oppai, and have a good cry.
( )( )()
Chapter 295: The Arrest of Mrs. Yukinoshita
Chapter 295: The Arrest of Mrs. Yukinoshita
After the semi-final match with the Meijin
In fact, the outcome of the Meijin tournament was no longer a surprise.
Although Yukima Azuma's opponent in the upcoming final was a seasoned professional 9-dan player,
Yukima Azuma, as he was now, was virtually the strongest player in the history of shogi since its inception.
Truly, "none before, and none to come." Unprecedented and unparalleled.
For the next thirty years of the shogi world, no genius would surpass Yukima Azuma.
And in the pre-AI era, the creativity of players was suppressed by fixed patterns of play.
It became even more difficult for a figure to emerge who could rival Yukima Azuma.
It could only be said that the current shogi world
For players who haven't reached 9-dan, their vision remains narrow, and to them, Yukima Azuma is like the moon seen from the bottom of a well by a frog.
Only when a player one day manages to step into the realm of 9-dan will they realize they are nothing more than plankton gazing at the blue sky.
After claiming his second title, the Meijin title, Yukima Azuma officially joined the ranks of professional 9-dan players.
The youngest to ever achieve 9-dan goes without saying.
He was also the first in Japanese history to hold both the Ryuuou and Meijin titles at the moment of his promotion to 9-dan.
The heat surrounding shogi exploded, all thanks to the appearance of Yukima Azuma.
Reality proves that no matter the field, a star is necessary.
Incidentally, on that note
The TV drama Hikaru no Shogi had finished filming and was originally scheduled to air in the summer to coincide with the Ryuuou tournament
But it was aired earlier than planned.
It immediately exploded in popularity upon broadcast.
Many viewers tuned in purely because of Yukima Azuma.
And Yukima Azuma, who was at the center of this media storm
Was currently at the main Yukinoshita residence in Chiba, far from the hustle and bustle.
The architectural style of the Yukinoshita main residence followed traditional Japanese garden design.
Sliding Japanese doors accompanied by gardens, artificial hills, and ponds.
Sitting on tatami mats indoors
One could hear the gentle trickling of water in the garden, along with the clear sound of bamboo knocking against stone.
While walking past the pond in the front yard, Yukima Azuma saw several koi fish swimming inside.
There was also a stalk of green bamboo with water flowing over it.
When filled with water, it would tip over, strike a rock, and let the water flow out again, repeating endlessly.
That was what's called a shishi-odoshi, also known as taketori.
A characteristic decoration in Japanese-style gardens.
Its original use was supposedly in rice fields, to scare off birds and beasts.
Later, it gradually became a decorative item, also imbued with a Zen-like aesthetic.
Japanese history is short, and the so-called aristocratic class nowadays
In fact, during the Bakufu period, most of them still had to farm.
Many things considered precious were, in truth, forced into existence.
Yukima Azuma seemed to understand this, but didn't entirely agree.
Because, even though this was a guest room for serious discussions
That taketori in the garden was honestly very noisy.
Upon hearing Yukima Azuma voice this opinion
A few dark veins appeared on Mrs. Yukinoshita's forehead.
( `)
But she had no choice but to endure it, and picked up the teapot to pour Yukima Azuma another cup.
The matter of collaboration between the two sides concerned licensing rights.
The Yukinoshita family's initial preparations were finally complete.
All that was left was for Yukima Azuma to sign the contract, and then the two sides could begin implementation.
Mrs. Yukinoshita had originally planned to visit Tokyo around this time to find Yukima Azuma.
She didn't expect that boy to show up at the Yukinoshita estate on his own.
Sitting here, drinking her tea, and even criticizing her garden design.
"About the collaboration..."
Mrs. Yukinoshita was just about to begin talking about the contract.
But Yukima Azuma interrupted her:
"That matter isn't urgent."
Mrs. Yukinoshita really wanted to say that it was urgent.
There was still so much to do after signing the contract.
But she continued to endure, waiting for Yukima Azuma to finish speaking.
The fact that the boy came all the way here on his own like this
There was definitely some kind of scheme behind it.
Mrs. Yukinoshita had a vague feeling that something was off.
(_")
But for the sake of the Yukinoshita family's development, she could only helplessly wait for him to continue.
"Recently, I've been thinking of going on a trip with Yukino."
Yukima Azuma tapped his finger rhythmically on the table, a faint smile of anticipation appearing on his face.
Upon hearing that, Mrs. Yukinoshita's emotions grew a little complicated.
However, more than anything, she felt puzzled.
The two of you going on a tripwhy are you telling me?
( -)?
Mrs. Yukinoshita still had a bit of self-awareness.
She had once pushed her daughter to the point of running away from home.
At this moment, she clearly couldn't take on the airs of some Mother-sama, issuing orders about their relationship anymore.
Seeing the puzzled expression on Mrs. Yukinoshita's face,
Yukima Azuma's fingers unconsciously tapped harder on the tabletop
"Even though Yukino is already an adult, this is still her first time going on a trip far from home."
"As Yukino's mother, don't you have anything you want to say to her?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita glanced at the hand of Yukima Azuma tapping on the table.
She now understood why the boy had come.
He came to demand accountability?
Come to think of it, Mrs. Yukinoshita did realize that she hadn't exactly fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother.
But the period when Yukino and Haruno were growing up just happened to coincide with the bursting of the economic bubble.
At that time, the Yukinoshita family was practically on the verge of collapse.
The Yukinoshita family that Mrs. Yukinoshita had worked so hard to build was like a machine endlessly charging forward.
If it had crashed into a wall then, it would've stopped immediately.
The components of that machine would've snapped, leading to complete destruction.
The only choice was to find another way, keep moving forward, and gradually decelerate.
Back then, it wasn't just that she was powerlessher spirit was exhausted to a certain extent as well.
By the time she turned back, the mother-daughter relationship had already deteriorated significantly.
Mrs. Yukinoshita did feel regret.
But, if she had to choose again, she would still make the exact same decision.
Now, looking at the boy coming in full force to demand justice for the person he cherishedwho happened to be her biological daughter
Mrs. Yukinoshita felt a subtle mix of emotions.
A faint trace of guilt and heartache she couldn't put into words, but there was no anger at all.
Compared to previous times when Yukima Azuma's jabs drove her mad
This time, Mrs. Yukinoshita slightly lowered her head.
"At this point, what could I possibly say?"
"Hope you two have fun. If you end up having a kid, bring it backI'll take care of it."
( )
The corner of Yukima Azuma's mouth twitched a little.
Putting aside whether or not having a kid was a bit premature
Yukima Azuma really wanted to ask the beautiful woman in front of him: where did she get the confidence to say she'd look after a child?
Letting Mrs. Yukinoshita babysitwould that really be okay?
He took a breath and adjusted his mood.
Yukima Azuma bared his teeth in a grin:
"If you can't think of anything to say..."
"Then why don't you come travel with us? Maybe that way you'll feel a bit more at ease."
()
Chapter 296 Before the Trip
Hearing Yukima Azuma's request that she join the trip,
Mrs. Yukinoshita's expression became somewhat unreadable.
( ®® ) ?
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
She eyed Yukima Azuma suspiciously.
(_ )
She wasn't stupid.
This request was clearly a way to make her do something.
Yukima Azuma offered a gentle smile.
"It's really nothing major."
"It's just that lately, Yukino hasn't been smiling much. I wanted to ask for your help."
"Since you're her motherbound by bloodI'm sure you must have many ways."
"As long as you agree to this small request of mine, I'll sign the contract immediately."
"Oh, rightdidn't we talk about the Suou family situation before?"
"All in all, Mrs. Yukinoshita, you don't want the Yukinoshita family's future development to be held back because of you, do you?"
()
As he spoke, Yukima Azuma's smile grew deeper.
Mrs. Yukinoshita's eyelids twitched as she listened.
In the business world, she had seen plenty of dirty players, schemers, and people who made outrageous demands...
But someone like the boy before her?
Not only had she never seen anything like itshe'd never even heard of anything like this.
The condition for signing a contract was that she had to dote on her own daughter?
What kind of demand was that?
And yet, it was a demand she couldn't refuse.
Just the thought of her previously strained relationship with her daughter
Already gave Mrs. Yukinoshita a headache.
"( _ <,, )
Heaven sees all, and karma always comes around.
Watching her ever-changing expression,
Yukima Azuma knewthis was in the bag.
The legendary Witch of Chiba don't tell me she can't even coax her own daughter?
As for whether her image would completely collapse while doing so
That was not within Yukima Azuma's scope of concern.
In her silence, Mrs. Yukinoshita tacitly agreed to the deal.
With the goal of this visit now accomplished,
Yukima Azuma calmly took another sip of tea.
He had to admitMrs. Yukinoshita's skill in the art of tea was truly exceptional.
Likely refined specifically for business negotiations.
No wonder back during the family registry talks,
Mrs. Yukinoshita had put on airs and ceremoniously prepared tea.
It's just back then, he'd been too young, too arroganthe hadn't even looked at the tea.
Had he known it was this good, he'd have definitely sat down, enjoyed every last drop, then started mocking her.
As he sipped, Yukima Azuma's thoughts wandered.
"Come to think of it, if you could choose a natural talent," he asked casually, "what would you pick?"
Glancing at the skill point panel on his system, Yukima Azuma asked offhandedly.
Mrs. Yukinoshita was taken aback by the question.
Wasn't that a bit of a mental leap?
What did that have to do with this?
She thought for a moment,
Then answered, "Comprehensive management, I suppose."
As the head of the Yukinoshita household
In truth, Mrs. Yukinoshita's business acumen didn't need much more advancement.
Talent, after all, had its limits.
She'd already done as much as someone in her position could.
The only thing left to improve might be her ability to oversee and coordinate everything.
Because of how much time she spent managing and juggling everything,
Mrs. Yukinoshita had missed out on many things she should have done.
That was the one true regret of her past.
That answer, however, didn't give Yukima Azuma any inspiration.
First of all, Yukima Azuma had no need for time-saving talents like that.
Laplace Corporation had already pushed time efficiency to its limits.
The path they were on now was a shortcut among shortcuts.
Not to mention, Yukima Azuma had already found someone to helphis own schedule was basically leisurely.
Second, there was almost nothing in Yukima Azuma's past that could be called a regret.
Ever since being reborn into this world, nearly everything he had done had been driven purely by desire.
He had left not a single regret for himself.
Thinking this far, maybe he should hold onto his skill points a little longer.
Use them only when the moment truly called for it.
...
After sipping tea for a while longer,
Yukima Azuma stood up and took his leave.
Might as well let Mrs. Yukinoshita enjoy a moment of peace, to properly think through her next step.
Once he left Chiba, Yukima Azuma returned to Tokyo.
Upon arriving back at the Yukima household,
One glance told him the car wasn't at home.
Yukima Azuma decisively skipped going inside and instead detoured toward the Laplace building.
By this time, night had already fallen.
Even so, several floors of the Laplace building still glowed with light.
Not because Yukima Azuma was overworking his employees.
It was simply that several subsidiaries of Laplace Corporation were running full tilt at the moment.
Every second had to be seized.
That said, nearly no one at Laplace Corporation had any complaints.
Because if there was one thing Laplace Corporation had in abundance right nowit was money.
As for overtime pay, they were practically stuffing wallets until they burst.
"President, you're here. Should I let CEO Yukinoshita know?"
A junior secretary who had come downstairs to grab some coffee happened to bump into Yukima Azuma.
She immediately bowed and asked.
Glancing at the cup of coffee in her hand,
Yukima Azuma casually took it and looked at the label.
Triple-strength black coffee.
This secretary had been specially assigned to assist Yukino.
At first, Yukino had objectedthinking such small tasks didn't require anyone's help.
