After seeing Kuzuryū stumble at the start of the Ranking League Group C-2, I felt concerned. In contrast, when I observe how he consistently advances in the final tournament of the Ryūō Battle, I suspect he is dedicating all his resources [effort and focus] with the aim of winning the Ryūō financial prize.
(It's strange to see Kuzuryū suffer a loss at the beginning of the Ranking League like this, while simultaneously advancing in the Ryūō final tournament. It seems a mysterious force is at work.)
(How much money will Kuzuryū make? One million yen for winning Group 6, then 400 thousand, 600 thousand, 800 thousand, 1.2 million, and 1.6 million in the final tournament, in addition to 4.5 million in the challenger determining match. Winning the Ryūō title will add 43.2 million yen to that total.)
(The current total amount is 53.3 million yen. Doesn't the Master desire this amount too?)
(I don't want the Scummy Ryūō [Kuzuryū] to lose his title, so I will challenge or not challenge intermittently. In next year's Ryūō tournament, I intend to deliberately lose to the Master.)
The fees for each game in the final tournament of the Ryūō Battle are announced, starting from the first round. The numbers are even written in small font on the tournament bracket, representing the match fees. Given that Kuzuryū will receive the total match fees from the bottom of Group 6, the aggregate amount will easily exceed 50 million yen.
Conversely, I am advancing in the rapid-play Asahi Hai tournament and currently maintain a perfect winning streak in the qualifiers for the Kieisen (Sage King) tournament. I also started the qualifiers for the Ōi (Emperor) and Ōza (Throne) tournaments with victories. Overall, I am living a smooth life as a professional player.
Although my match schedule has become busy, I do not feel tired because I rely on "Ai" to win.
(I desperately want the Asahi Hai prize money, which is 10 million yen!)
(What will you use the money you get for?)
(I will invest it in my computer and "Epekkusu Suru" [spend time playing Apex Legends].)
(Your condition has deteriorated into a "failure of a person" more than I imagined. I have no objection to that.)
I maintain an undefeated winning streak so far, so I am close to surpassing the record for the largest number of consecutive wins, which is (28). Perhaps I should deliberately lose to Ayumu in the Ōi (Emperor) tournament, for instance. In contrast, the Master is the holder of the Ōza (Throne) title, and it was not heavily featured in the original story, so I can go for that title mercilessly.
However, I should probably focus first on the Asahi Hai tournament. I desperately want its prize of 10 million yen. Indeed, there is no one who wouldn't want it. After that, perhaps I should go for the title of Rookie King. I believe this is the last year I can participate, and this title doesn't seem to heavily affect the original story. The prize for the Rookie Players tournament is about 2 million yen, which is a huge amount.
(Must you adhere to the original story to this extent, I ask you repeatedly?)
(I tell you repeatedly, I don't want to interfere as much as possible. You must understand my feeling of not wanting to ruin the plot of my favorite light novel!)
(Then, at least refuse Kuzuryū's invitation to play against you. What are you doing strengthening the protagonist of the original story more and more?)
(Huh? Has his strength increased that much?)
(His strength has certainly increased.)
While conducting this internal dialogue with "Ai," I was playing this month's Ranking League match. Group C-2 is a difficult group from which one cannot advance with a single loss. However, since all players with a perfect winning streak will be promoted to Group C-1, and since I will win with a perfect record, there is no need to worry.
My opponent today is Kuraō Tatsuo (9-dan), the opponent Kuzuryū lost to in the original story. However, I felt I could easily win against him even if I played myself.
It seemed the opponent wanted to say something when he saw my Shogi play, which used absolutely no thinking time, but "Ai" completely crushed him, so he said nothing.
...Playing using Shogi programs mostly relies on speed and forceful aggression; however, my "Ai" is characterized by its heavy, composed attack. It feels as if you prepare and prepare, then push a massive shield to crush the opponent. The opponent dies.
My remaining time today did not consume a single minute. "Ai's" computational capacity is so high that I can play non-stop. I had nothing to do. The game itself was devoid of post-match analysis, given the multitude of errors Kuraō made in the opening, middle, and end. The Ranking League match finished by noon.
(What a victory! I'll stop by Yodobashi Camera [an electronics store] on the way back.)
(Are you going to look for computer accessories again? ...Ah, that's Kuzuryū Yaichi.)
(Huh, why are we meeting again? And why did his Ranking League match also end early?)
「Hey, Kuzuryū. Are you done with the Ranking League?」 (Ōki)
「Ōki. I was just taking a walk outside for a change of scenery.」 (Yaichi)
「...Listen. If you become the Ryūō, buy me a yakiniku (grilled meat) feast with the prize money.」
「Hahaha... If I really become the Ryūō, I will definitely buy you a yakiniku feast.」
「You said it, didn't you? That's a promise!」
During this period, Kuzuryū was advancing in the final tournament of the Ryūō Battle, but his challenge for the title had not yet become a reality. As for the Ranking League, he had lost early, and his chance for promotion had collapsed; his public evaluation was not very high.
Since he had won the Ryūō Group 6 tournament, his name was finally starting to spread among Shogi fans.
In contrast, I maintain a record of 23 consecutive wins without a single loss since my professional debut, which is why my career is drawing media attention.
If things continue this way, my thirtieth match will be against Ayumu, so I must deliberately lose there. It would be enough to elevate Ayumu's status if I narrowly lose to him right after breaking the record, as if I lost by a small margin to the next-generation star.
(No, a breakthrough in Shogi among the general public should occur as soon as you reach 29 consecutive wins. The name Ōki Haruo will spread to everyone.)
(Ah, well. That's fine and I'm happy with it, but it's complicated for my evaluation to rise when I haven't won any title yet
(I also feel sorry that the Master's ugly face will spread to the general public.)
(My face is normal! It's true that I'm not as attractive as Kuzuryū or Ayumu, and I might be disappointing when compared to them, but ugly? That makes me cry!)
I exchanged light banter with Kuzuryū and left. During this period, I can still go out, stroll around, and play social games as I please.
This time I clearly refused his invitation to play a friendly match, but he looked distinctly sad, which made me feel guilty. Well, perhaps I should avoid contact with him as much as possible until Kuzuryū wins the Ryūō title.