And at this early hour, who would visit this apartment?
Could it be a beautiful silver-haired woman coming to visit?
With a click, Kasumigaoka opened the front door.
"Forget even a key? How useless..."
Her sharp words were cut short.
Standing outside the door was a small, beautiful girl with silver hair.
At this moment, she was holding a folding fan, gently tapping it against her neck, looking somewhat impatient.
But she stopped for a moment,
Clearly encountering an unexpected situation.
Her eyes widened.
Sora Ginko stared at the woman who appeared in the apartment.
"Tch!"
The sound of tongue clicking was clearly a sign of dissatisfaction.
Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression also slightly changed.
"Why... why is this 'fat' girl here?"
"What are you doing here?"
Both of them spoke up to question each other.
Then, they stood facing each other at the entrance.
Sora Ginko glared at Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was not afraid, crossing her arms, sneering, and looking back at her.
After a long silence, Sora Ginko averted her gaze, said nothing, and stepped into the apartment.
Kasumigaoka Utaha did not stop her.
After all, she currently had no authority to stop Sora Ginko.
Moreover, if she really blocked her at the door,
When Yukima Azuma came back, she would be in the wrong and would be at a disadvantage.
Still, even though she couldn't stop Sora Ginko from entering, Kasumigaoka Utaha had other ways to retaliate.
"The disposable slippers are on the bottom shelf of the shoe cabinet, please feel free to use them."
Kasumigaoka Utaha said with a smile, then turned away, her footsteps on the white slippers making a clicking sound.
"Tch!"
Sora Ginko clicked her tongue again.
She looked at the disposable slippers on the bottom shelf of the shoe cabinet.
Then, she took off her small leather shoes.
Her slender toes, covered by black socks, directly touched the wooden floor.
The floor of the apartment was very clean; Yukima Azuma often hired someone to clean it regularly, so walking barefoot on the floor was not an issue.
.....
The two sat facing each other in the living room, a cold air spreading between them.
They had known each other for a long time.
After all, one was Yukima Azuma's ex-girlfriend, and the other is a senior sister who studied shogi together since childhood.
But their relationship now...
Looking at the situation right now, it was clear they were enemies.
In fact, it hadn't been like this from the beginning.
When Kasumigaoka Utaha was still Yukima Azuma's girlfriend, Sora Ginko didn't like her, but she wouldn't say anything too harsh.
And Kasumigaoka Utaha, as the girlfriend, had treated her boyfriend's senior sister with a certain level of respect.
However, three years ago, when Kasumigaoka Utaha and Yukima Azuma broke up,
Their relationship could never return to what it had been.
Sora Ginko thought that, as Yukima Azuma's ex-girlfriend, no matter how dissatisfied she might be,
At the time of the incident at Yukima's house,
Kasumigaoka Utaha shouldn't have broken up with him and abandoned him like that.
Even if they broke up, she should have waited for a better time.
But Kasumigaoka Utaha had no idea about what had happened at Yukima's house.
The two of them, because of clashing personalities and lack of experience in love,
Had ended up breaking up.
However, as soon as they broke up, Kasumigaoka Utaha had thought about reconciling.
But when she turned back, she found that Yukima Azuma seemed to have disappeared from the world.
He transferred schools from Tokyo, the apartment was abandoned, and he couldn't be reached.
When contacting Sora Ginko, who had been the intermediary, she only received a rude attitude.
Thus, their relationship had been severed from that point on.
"What's a person like you doing here? You abandoned him three years ago, now you're back?"
Sora Ginko gritted her teeth, her gaze full of indescribable emotions.
Clearly, the person before her had done something unforgivable at that time,
Yet now, just a moment later, she had returned to live in Yukima Azuma's apartment.
And this had never been mentioned to her.
Sora Ginko felt betrayed.
"What? What are you talking about? There's no reason for that at all."
How could she say that I abandoned him?
Kasumigaoka Utaha felt that Sora Ginko's words didn't make sense at all.
Fortunately, the verbal sparring didn't last long.
The sound of a door opening from the hallway was heard.
Yukima Azuma stepped into the apartment, seeing the small pair of women's leather shoes by the door, and raised an eyebrow.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai's friend?"
Yukima Azuma shook his head.
Was this a joke?
Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't have friends.
With her hedgehog-like personality, who could get close without getting pricked?
If it had to be said, maybe Eriri.
But if Eriri came all the way here, it would be a strange thing indeed.
"I can tell you're thinking something rude, Yukima-kun," Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke up, her tone displeased.
"It's nothing."
Yukima Azuma looked up and saw Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sora Ginko.
Today, Sora Ginko was just as usual, wearing a dark blue sailor uniform.
There was a red silk scarf on her chest, accentuating the cuteness of the sailor outfit.
The most striking feature was the black choker around her neck.
Sora Ginko's neck was already flawless, and this choker highlighted her beauty even more.
With short silver hair and a delicate face, she was indeed a petite, beautiful girl.
It was just that the disdainful look she had now slightly ruined the atmosphere...
Hmm? Or maybe that look just adds to the excitement?
"Ginko, good morning. Did you come to Tokyo just to go to the Shogi club with me?"
Yukima Azuma said with a cheerful smile, his face full of surprise.
Seeing Yukima Azuma pleased by her appearance, Sora Ginko's cold gaze seemed to soften just a little.
Chapter 10: Sora Ginko Thoughts
Today was Saturday.
Yukima Azuma planned to go for a run in the morning, take a shower, and then board the Shinkansen to Chiba.
The distance from Tokyo to Chiba wasn't far, and taking the Shinkansen only took a little time.
So, even though it was early in the morning, there was no need to rush.
However, Yukima Azuma hadn't expected Sora Ginko to travel all the way from Chiba to Tokyo.
Was she afraid that he might make a promise and then "abandon" her?
Sora Ginko observed Yukima Azuma, who seemed happy just because of her arrival.
Her cold face was no longer as serious as before.
However, she still didn't seem friendly towards him.
She cast a glance at Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was standing next to him.
Having known each other for many years, Yukima Azuma naturally understood what Sora Ginko meant.
She was asking about Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"Ginko, this is Kasumigaoka-senpai. Senpai, this is Sora Ginko, my Shogi senior sister. You two must have met before."
Yukima Azuma acted as the mediator and introduced them.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai is my current tenant. She just moved in recently. Ginko, you know that I rent out an apartment."
"Ginko is here to take me to the shogi club in Chiba. There's an official match today, and I plan to participate."
After hearing Yukima Azuma's explanation, Sora Ginko let out a small sigh of relief.
Although she didn't like the idea of this "fat girl" living in Yukima Azuma's house, as long as they didn't suddenly rekindle their relationship without informing her, Sora Ginko could accept it.
When Yukima Azuma spoke, Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze wavered slightly.
Shogi, huh?
Of course, she knew Yukima Azuma played shogi, and he had even been a prodigy in the shogi world before.
But three years ago, suddenly...
However, now he was starting again with shogi. Could there be a special meaning behind it?
Anyway, Kasumigaoka Utaha was genuinely pleased that Yukima Azuma was willing to explain things to her.
Yukima Azuma didn't really need to explain any of this to her.
In just a few short sentences, the two seemed to have settled things between them.
Yukima Azuma went into the bathroom and quickly showered.
Afterward, he changed into clothes he had already prepared and went to the door with Sora Ginko.
"I'm heading out."
Suddenly, Yukima Azuma turned back and said to Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Kasumigaoka Utaha nearly reacted instinctively: "Safe travels."
When she realized what she had just said, Yukima Azuma and Sora Ginko had already left the apartment.
Her ears turned slightly red.
"I'm heading out" and "Safe travels."
These were common phrases exchanged in Japan when someone was leavingpart of the customary communication in the culture.
(note: ittekimasu, itterasshai)
And these words were typically spoken only by family or those with close relationships.
"That was calculated ahead of time."
Kasumigaoka Utaha mumbled to herself.
...
After stepping outside, Yukima Azuma felt a bit of tension in the air.
"Tch!"
Sora Ginko shook her head in dissatisfaction.
"Hey, Ginko, are there any tough opponents in this official match?" Yukima Azuma directly changed the subject.
Although he knew Yukima Azuma was trying to change the topic, Sora Ginko reluctantly continued the conversation.
"Yeah, there's one guy who's pretty difficult."
Sora Ginko continued, showing her concern and worry about Yukima Azuma returning to shogi after three years.
"The opponent in this official match is someone with a range of skill from beginner to professional level," she looked into Yukima Azuma's eyes and continued.
"There's one person who's especially tough to handle, the strongest one in this match."
"That person is Yamato Kajin, eight-dan, the strongest in this match. He's been training under 'Meijin.'"
"Eight-dan?" Yukima Azuma exclaimed, his voice showing surprise.
In the world of shogi, players are clearly ranked.
Ignoring amateur levels, players must attend training sessions to pass exams, and after that, join a training association to enter the professional world of shogi.
Ranks in the training association range from F1, F2, up to S, and to move up in rank, players must continuously participate in matches and accumulate win/loss points.
Among them, ranks from C1 and above have the right to take the exam for the Promotion Association.
The Promotion Association is where truly professional players are trained.
Even the lowest rank in the Promotion Association is rank 6, which must be stronger than C1 in the Training Association.
Once in the Promotion Association, players must accumulate win/loss points through official matches to level up.
From rank 6 to rank 1, then beginner level, level 2, level 3, and the highest level, level 4.
Sora Ginko was currently at level 2 in the Promotion Association.
And only when a player reaches level 4 in the Promotion Association are they considered a professional player, which is equivalent to achieving a 4th professional rank.
As for Yamato Kajin, he was already at eight-dan.
He was nearly at the peak of the shogi world, belonging to an extremely rare group.
Not to mention, this opponent was also studying under "Meijin."
Sora Ginko looked at Yukima Azuma's expression but couldn't read anything from it.
With her thoughts spinning, Sora Ginko suddenly grabbed the hem of Yukima Azuma's shirt, causing him to bend down slightly.
To Yukima Azuma's surprise, she extended her arms and wrapped them around his neck.
"It's alright! You're the strongest shogi player I've ever met"
"I'm sure if you were still active in the shogi world, you would have surpassed eight-dan long ago!"
"With you, no matter who the opponent is, you would win!"
"Stand proud, you are strongest!"
Yukima Azuma blinked at her words.
In reality, he wasn't worried or scared at all.
As long as he didn't face 'Meijin,' he was confident against any other opponent.
The previous exclamation was just admiration for the strict ranking system in shogi.
However, he couldn't say that now, or else Sora Ginko's feelings would become a joke.
Yukima Azuma gently returned the embrace.
Her small frame gave him an oddly tender feeling.
"Nah, with your encouragement, even 'Meijin,' I would win to prove it to you!" Yukima Azuma said.
Upon hearing this, Sora Ginko face immediately flushed red.
She pushed Yukima Azuma away, lowered her head, and quickly walked off.
"Go, go... you'll be late if you don't!" she muttered.
From behind, the girl's ears had also turned a soft shade of pink.
— — — — — — — —
I'm not sure if the author meant it that way but I made it a jjk reference
Chapter 11: The Official Match
At the Shogi Club in Chiba.
This is the largest Shogi club in Chiba Prefecture and also the venue for workshops organized by the government. The official match will be held here.
As soon as they arrived outside the club's gate, someone waved and called out to the two.
"Azuma, Ginko, over here!"
A girl with long brown hair and a full figure was waving her hand.
Kiyotaki Keika.
She is Yukima Azuma's senior and also the daughter of Master Kiyotaki Kousuke, who taught Yukima Azuma. She is 24 years old and has the gentle appearance of a traditional Japanese woman.
Next to her is Kiyotaki Kousuke, a famous Shogi master who has now retired.
Both of them are clearly not participants in the official competition.
They are here to cheer on Yukima Azuma.
"Hello, Keika-san, Master."
Yukima Azuma greeted the two.
Kiyotaki Keika has not yet become a professional female Shogi player, while Kiyotaki Kousuke is a legend in the Shogi world and has now retired.
"Hello, Master."
Sora Ginko greeted Kiyotaki Kousuke and quickly ran into the club.
Seeing this, Kiyotaki Keika smiled.
"Ginko couldn't wait anymore, she went to Tokyo to pick you up by herself. What happened, did something happen on the way?"
Sora Ginko's state was clearly quite embarrassed.
Yukima Azuma explained what had happened on the way to Kiyotaki Keika and Kiyotaki Kousuke.
After hearing the story, Kiyotaki Keika couldn't help but rub her face and smile like a mother.
"Azuma has really grown up, hasn't he?"
As someone who has watched Yukima Azuma grow up, how could Kiyotaki Keika not understand Sora Ginko's feelings for Yukima Azuma?
