Yukima Azuma's response imdiately made the reporters on-site sense a hot scoop.
"Excuse , if you face Kawai 2-dan again next ti, will Yukima 7-dan be confident in securing victory?"
The reporters hoped Yukima Azuma would throw out so bold words.
Sothing like: "Nah, I'd Win."
That way, the Ryuuou tournant would have enough material for a story.
A 1-dan player suffers defeat in the qualifiers.
Stimulated by a shogi genius, he resolves to break through his limits.
Then, in the following rounds, he overturns the situation and defeats the genius opponent who once crushed him.
A classic shounen storyline.
The only issue was that the age gap between them was a bit odd.
The one launching the counterattack was a young man in his twenties, while Yukima Azuma—the one standing at the top—was still just a high school student.
It lacked the thrill of "taking down soone above you."
But that didn't matter.
As long as Yukima Azuma was willing to say a few arrogant lines,
The news would explode instantly.
The youngest 7-dan player in history.
A genius like that must surely be arrogant, right?
The reporters eagerly awaited Yukima Azuma's next answer.
"I will do my best."
Yukima Azuma answered seriously.
The reporters were utterly disappointed upon hearing this.
After that, a few other reporters attempted to ask sharper questions,
Hoping to extract a sensational quote from Yukima Azuma to make headlines.
Unfortunately, Yukima Azuma's responses were too smooth, leaving almost no room for misinterpretation or misleading edits.
Just as the reporters were about to try one last ti,
There was no need for Yukima Azuma to signal them to stop.
The Shogi Association staff had already stepped forward, concluding the post-match interview.
This was the Shogi Association under President Tsukimitsu.
Of course, they wouldn't let Yukima Azuma be at a disadvantage.
Though reluctant, the reporters were ultimately persuaded to leave by the staff.
...
Next was the quarterfinals.
Yukima Azuma's opponent was another 7-dan player.
The result was unsurprising.
Another overwhelming 4-0 victory.
The Ryuuou semifinals were not held at the Shogi Association in Osaka but took place in Iwate Prefecture.
This was a first-tier administrative region in northeastern Japan.
Its specialty was hot springs.
The main estate of the Hinatsuru family was also located here.
Since the Hinatsuru family had long sponsored shogi tournants,
In a previous official match, Yukima Azuma had also stayed at the Hinatsuru family's ryokan (inn) for competition.
This ti, both the semifinals and finals of the Ryuuou tournant would be held at the Hinatsuru Ryokan in Iwate Prefecture.
Right after the quarterfinals concluded, the Hinatsuru family sent a convoy to pick up Yukima Azuma.
Allowing him to settle in early, familiarize himself with the environnt, and adjust his state of mind.
At this ti, Yukima Azuma had no other engagents.
So, he did not refuse the goodwill of the Hinatsuru family.
Bringing Hinatsuru Ai along, he boarded the Hinatsuru family's car, heading to Iwate Prefecture.
Upon arrival,
Soone imdiately stepped forward to open the car door for them.
And outside the door,
Two rows of people stood neatly in greeting.
On one side was Hinatsuru Akina, with young won in kimono behind her.
On the other side was Hinatsuru Takeshi, with young n in black suits standing behind him.
As Yukima Azuma stepped out of the car, both sides simultaneously bowed.
"Welco ho, Yukima-sensei, Hinatsuru Oujou-sama."
This reception was indeed a bit extravagant.
Even the eldest daughter of the main family,
Hinatsuru Ai, was montarily stunned as she stepped out of the car.
Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Yukima Azuma's hand.
But Yukima Azuma remained unfazed.
Holding Hinatsuru Ai's small hand, he stepped forward to Hinatsuru Akina.
"Hinatsuru-san, isn't this a bit much? There's no need to be so formal."
Hinatsuru Akina glanced at their intertwined hands,
And couldn't help but smile an "Okaa-san" smile.
"This isn't all that formal. After all, sensei is Ai's master."
"If we don't put on at least this much decorum, wouldn't others look down on you?"
"The Hinatsuru family would never do such a thing—we deeply respect Yukima-sensei."
As they conversed, Hinatsuru Akina led Yukima Azuma and Hinatsuru Ai inside the ryokan.
The interior of Hinatsuru Ryokan was not overly extravagant.
Many areas, though made with valuable materials, exuded an air of elegance and humility rather than ostentation.
On the contrary, this only emphasized its long-standing history.
The ryokan business had existed for over a thousand years.
The Hinatsuru family had always used ryokans as their foundation,
Passing it down through generations, making them an old and distinguished family.
Perhaps they weren't as wealthy as Japan's four major financial conglorates.
But in terms of historical legacy, they were no less prestigious than the three ancient families among the four great conglorates.
Passing through the front reception hall,
Exiting the corridor, a vast courtyard appeared before them.
A stone-paved pathway, with a rock garden on one side and a koi pond on the other.
Looking further, a bamboo grove ca into view.
The bamboo swayed in the wind, producing rustling sounds.
"Behind this is the Hinatsuru family's main residence. This garden was designed by a renowned feng shui master."
Hinatsuru Akina explained casually.
Hearing this, Yukima Azuma couldn't help but be surprised.
"Feng Shui master?"
It didn't seem to be called that in Japan.
Here, most people referred to them as Onmyoji.
Seeing Yukima Azuma's confusion, Hinatsuru Akina explained:
"That's right, the ancestors of the Hinatsuru family once invited a Feng Shui master from China."
"We have quite a fondness for Chinese styles."
Hearing this, Yukima Azuma couldn't help but sigh in realization.
So that's how it was.
No wonder during the last official match, there were calligraphy scrolls written entirely in Kanji at the Hinatsuru inn.
Moreover, they contained the opening chapter of the Dao De Jing. (note: Scripture of the Way and its Virtue)
At that ti, Yukima Azuma had thought that the owner of this inn had quite a refined aesthetic.
Furthermore, the Hinatsuru family rarely participated in politics.
Despite being such a prestigious and influential family, Hinatsuru Akina herself had never even run for a position in the provincial council.
"Yukima-sensei, you…"
Hinatsuru Akina hesitated slightly.
If Yukima Azuma's political views leaned too far to the left, it might be difficult for him to get along with the Hinatsuru family.
That could cause quite a few complications.
Realizing Hinatsuru Akina's thoughts, Yukima Azuma simply let out a helpless chuckle.
"I was just expressing my thoughts. After all, in Japan, a family with a fondness for China is truly rare." (Note: Shouldn't it be the other way around? Or both sides are like that)
Hearing this, Hinatsuru Akina let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Her face broke into a smile once again.
"It seems the Hinatsuru family and Yukima-sensei get along quite well."
Yukima Azuma nodded in agreent.
Then he continued walking through the garden.
Inside the Hinatsuru estate, the decor was entirely in an ancient style.
Just looking at it made Yukima Azuma feel at ease. He casually chose a room and set down his luggage.
Hinatsuru Akina had soone bring him a yukata.
Behind the Hinatsuru estate was a hot spring.
It was said to be a top-tier spring, capable of relieving fatigue and even healing ailnts that had silently accumulated in the body.
There was still so ti before dinner.
Yukima Azuma changed into the yukata and headed to the hot spring.
After rinsing himself off,
He slid open the bathroom door.
Outside, the scene was hazy with rising steam.
Yukima Azuma slowly stepped into the hot spring.
The warm water gradually enveloped his body.
"Truly extraordinary. Hayasaka would definitely love this place."
Yukima Azuma murmured.
Among the people he knew, only Hayasaka Ai had a particular passion for indulgence—especially hot springs.
But it made sense. As the personal bodyguard maid of the Shinomiya family, not only was she burdened with daily exhaustion, but she also had to endure imnse pressure.
If she didn't learn how to relax, sooner or later, she would collapse from sheer fatigue.
"Shishou, who is Hayasaka?"
As he was enjoying his relaxation, Yukima Azuma suddenly heard a voice filled with curiosity beside him.
A question mark seed to pop up over his head.
He turned his head to look.
He saw Hinatsuru Ai in a swimsuit, having sohow appeared in the hot spring without him noticing.
At this mont, the petite girl was gazing at Yukima Azuma with curious eyes.
"She's my younger sister. But, Ai, why are you here?"
Yukima Azuma was a little surprised.
Hinatsuru Akina wasn't Sayuri.
Even if she wanted to help, she wouldn't have arranged such a situation where they bathed together, right?
"So she's Shishou's little sister." Hinatsuru Ai smiled again.
Then, she blushed slightly and said:
"I got here before Shishou, you know."
Yukima Azuma facepald.
This was the Hinatsuru estate, so naturally, the hot spring wasn't gender-segregated.
Hinatsuru Akina probably hadn't expected that Hinatsuru Ai would rush straight to the hot spring as soon as she got ho.
Both of them had unintentionally ended up with the sa idea.
The hot spring in the estate had no attendants outside to remind guests.
So the two had directly run into each other in the hot spring.
Fortunately, Yukima Azuma had worn a yukata when he entered.
"Ai, just enjoy your bath. I'll be heading out first."
Yukima Azuma spoke as he moved toward the edge of the spring.
Hearing this, Hinatsuru Ai imdiately swam over and clung tightly to Yukima Azuma's arm.
"Hehe, it's a rare opportunity! Shishou, bathe in the hot spring with !"
Looking at the petite girl in front of him, full of anticipation,
Yukima Azuma didn't mind too much—after all, they were both clothed.
Staying a little longer to watch the stars wouldn't hurt.
—
At the dining table.
Instead of Japanese-style tatami seating, it was a long table with chairs.
The dishes on the table were all Chinese cuisine.
Even without tasting them, just by looking at the colors and slling the aroma,
Yukima Azuma could tell that the Chinese food prepared by the Hinatsuru family was the most authentic he had ever seen in Japan.
"Was the hot spring comfortable?"
Hinatsuru Akina asked with a smile.
Still marveling at the feast before him, Yukima Azuma turned to look at Hinatsuru Akina.
"Umu, the hot spring was wonderful. I quite enjoyed it."
Sitting beside him, the little girl Hinatsuru Ai also nodded and echoed, "Umu."
Seeing this scene, Hinatsuru Akina also nodded in satisfaction. "Umu."
--------------------------------------------
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