Shogi Reborn: Mind's Gambit

It was the third day since Ten'i began attending the dojo of Amashiro Gyoku and Akashi Gyoku. Today, since Akashi wasn't around, I decided to have Asuka assign Ten'i to work at the reception desk.

"Why on earth do I have to do this?" Ten'i protested.

"Listen up. Working the reception desk is a customer service job that requires a professional smile. The same goes for the shogi world. If you can't manage a professional smile, you won't get work, and people won't like you.

No matter what you truly feel inside, you have to put on a pleasant front."

"...Even you, Master, aren't exactly good at fake smiles," Ten'i retorted.

"That's my brand," I replied. "But the basics are still the same—greet people with a smile. Now, come on, smile. Nice and cheerful, like 'cheese!'"

"I'm not doing it!"

When Akashi isn't around, the number of customers interested in defensive strategies drops, so it's a good time to have Ten'i try customer service. She's cute, and just being able to flash a charming smile would win her a sudden influx of fans. Since she hasn't joined a training group, I figured it was best to start refining her manners and demeanor here.

"It might not directly impact your shogi skills, but it's crucial for the shogi world," I explained. "If your careless behavior causes a sponsor to withdraw, it could damage the entire community. And remember, it would also bring shame to me as your mentor."

"...Fine, fine. I'll do it! I'll handle it flawlessly!" Ten'i finally relented.

"Good. Now, let's start with an adult customer. Smile!"

"Urgh... 'Thank you for your payment of 10,000 yen. Here is your change of 9,000 yen.' Five, six, seven, eight, nine. 'And here's the remaining 300 yen. Thank you for your patronage.'"

"Huh, not bad at all. Alright, I'm off to the bath."

"'Even if it's superficial, it's better than not doing it at all when it comes to manners,'" I thought to myself.

(It's not something that will harm her, and it's bound to benefit her, so there's no reason not to do it. Besides, with Asuka-san and Akira-san also keeping an eye on her, she'll be fine.)

"'Still, having a master who makes an elementary school student work must leave a terrible impression.'"

(Quiet. While a bit of tsundere commentary to lighten the mood is fine, stepping on landmines will be the death of my patience—and my stomach.)

When I tested Ten'i's customer service skills myself, surprisingly, she handled it fairly well. She's capable when she tries. The real problem is getting her to try. Shogi training is essential, but so is learning how to navigate the shogi world. Just being amiable can significantly change her prospects.

No matter how much disdain she harbors inside, maintaining a polite facade boosts her reputation. It reduces the chances of being targeted during research sessions and allows easier access to the latest information. Ten'i's current mindset—that everyone who plays shogi is an enemy and camaraderie is unnecessary—will only isolate her further.

As I soaked in the large bath, contemplating these unsavory thoughts, one of Ten'i's attendants joined me. Not Akira-san, but a different man who always maintained a wary distance. He was built like a tank, with scars that screamed of a lifetime of battles—a true warrior.

...Terrifying. The sheer presence of his muscles and scars was overwhelming. Just from his aura, I could tell he was the real deal—a genuine yakuza.

And the only reason someone like him would come into this bath was obvious: he wanted to talk to me.

"...Young Lady Ten'i has been playing shogi alone ever since her parents passed away. Her happiest memories were playing shogi with them. It was heartbreaking to watch, so perhaps we spoiled her too much," the man began.

"Spoiled her too much, huh?"

"That's why we're grateful to you, Oki-sensei. Thanks to your guidance, she's now growing as a person. The young lady who once shut herself off from the world is starting to look outward, and it's all because of your teachings.

...So please, continue to guide her. This is our request."

"Even without being asked, I'll look after Ten'i until she becomes a full-fledged professional shogi player. And beyond that, as her senior, mentor, and master, I'll teach her whatever I can."

The sight of this muscle-bound warrior bowing his head to me was enough to send shivers down my spine. Even in this reincarnated life, my dislikes remain the same—whether it's food or fears. And when it comes to gym-class-types like him, it's not just a matter of personal preference; it's practically ingrained incompatibility.

But Still, the Conversation Must Be Smooth

Even so, I made sure to handle the conversation with finesse. If I made the wrong choice here, it could spell doom—or worse. Besides, when it comes to Ten'i, I genuinely enjoy watching her grow and, to be honest, mentoring her is incredibly fun.

"'Master, you're such a gamer at heart. By the way, there's an event starting on Wot today,'" chimed in my inner monologue.

(Huh? Seriously? …Would it be bad if I ditched Ten'i and went home? Yeah, probably. Looks like I'm pulling an all-nighter.)

"'Don't forget, tomorrow's the first round finals for the Gyoku Title Tournament.'"

(Ah, yeah. I'm skipping that anyway since I won't get to see Akashi Gyoku's match against Okito Tei. Works out perfectly.)

"'I see. So, which title are you planning to go for, Master?'"

(Don't worry. I'm aiming for the Shogi Emperor title.)

"'Do you really think you can win the challenger's match for the Shogi Emperor? This time, the Meijin is going for their 99th title, and the Dragon King match is expected to be the big 100th.'"

(...Ah, well, yeah. I guess it's about time I aimed for a title. Besides, the Dragon King match would still be exciting, even if it's not about Eternal Seven Crowns and the 99th title.)

After indulging in these entirely self-centered thoughts, I got out of the bath and went to check on Ten'i. There she was, a radiant young girl with a charming smile, fully engrossed in her role. Seeing her handle the customer service so well was a relief. Her progress in mastering the professional smile was quicker than I expected.

Once Asuka-san took over the reception desk, Ten'i shifted to playing simultaneous games with the dojo's customers. Tables were set up around her, surrounded by older men and seniors. At first glance, it looked a bit odd, but the customers here were regulars of Akashi Gyoku's dojo, known for its high-level instruction. Many of them had solid skills, better than the average shogi dojo.

That said, they were no match for Ten'i. I told her to aim for total victory and keep winning. Most of the customers at Akashi's dojo ranged from amateur 1st dan to amateur 4th dan. An amateur 4th dan can often be stronger than a lower-tier female professional player. And since this dojo is filled with defensive strategy enthusiasts, it's perfect practice for the Mynavi Women's Open Tournament.

...Of course, the match-ups might differ from the original timeline. There's even a chance Ten'i could face Ai in the first round. With the altered pairings, there's no guarantee Ten'i will advance.

I have no choice but to focus on building Ten'i's strength to ensure she can keep winning. I promised to make her an undefeated female professional player, and I intend to fulfill that promise. So, please, Ten'i—don't lose to any other female pros.

Oh, and Kuu-san isn't a female pro, so it's fine to lose to her. Honestly, I'd like to think they're evenly matched right now, but I haven't seen Kuu-san's recent games, so I can't say for sure. Still, there's over six months until the Queen's Title match. Kuu will improve, but Ten'i's growth rate should be even faster. It's possible she could take the Queen's Title after all.

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