A Morning Departure
Saturday.
Yukima Azuma had planned out his day in advance—
A morning run, a quick shower, and then a ride on the Shinkansen to Chiba.
The distance wasn't far.
By bullet train, he would be there in no time.
So, even though it was still early, there was no need to rush.
But what he hadn't expected—
Was Sora Ginko showing up in Tokyo before he could even leave.
He glanced at her.
Had she really come all this way just to make sure he didn't abandon their plans at the last second?
Sora Ginko met his gaze.
Her expression remained cold, but—
The initial hostility from earlier had softened slightly.
Even so, she didn't look pleased.
Her sharp eyes flickered toward Kasumigaoka Utaha, standing beside him.
And with just that glance,
Yukima Azuma understood her unspoken question.
She wanted an explanation.
"Ginko, this is Kasumigaoka-senpai. Senpai, this is Sora Ginko, my senior in shogi. You two must have met before."
Taking the role of mediator, Yukima Azuma made the introductions.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai is my current tenant. She just moved in recently. Ginko, you already know that I rent out an apartment."
"As for Ginko, she's here to take me to the shogi club in Chiba. There's an official match today, and I plan to participate."
Sora Ginko narrowed her eyes at his words.
But after a brief moment, she let out a small sigh of relief.
She still didn't like the idea of this 'fat girl' living in Yukima Azuma's apartment,
But—
As long as they weren't secretly rekindling their relationship behind her back, she could tolerate it.
Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze wavered slightly.
Shogi, huh?
Of course, she knew Yukima Azuma had been a prodigy in the shogi world.
But three years ago, he had suddenly—
And now, he was returning.
Why now?
Was there some special meaning behind it?
Regardless, she was glad he had bothered to explain things to her.
After all—
He didn't need to.
And yet, with just a few words, the tension between them eased.
An Unexpected Farewell
After his shower, Yukima Azuma changed into his prepared outfit and headed to the door with Sora Ginko.
Just before stepping out, he suddenly turned back.
"I'm heading out."
His voice was casual.
Yet, without thinking, Kasumigaoka Utaha instinctively replied—
"Safe travels."
As soon as the words left her lips, she froze.
By the time she realized what she had just said—
Yukima Azuma and Sora Ginko were already gone.
Her ears turned slightly red.
"I'm heading out."
"Safe travels."
A simple exchange.
Common etiquette in Japan—
But usually spoken between family or people in close relationships.
Kasumigaoka Utaha mumbled to herself.
"That was calculated ahead of time."
Yet, despite her muttering, a faint warmth lingered in her chest.
The Weight of a Rival
Outside, as they walked, Yukima Azuma sensed a slight tension in the air.
"Tch."
Sora Ginko clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Not wanting to dwell on it, he smoothly changed the subject.
"Hey, Ginko, are there any tough opponents in today's match?"
She knew what he was doing.
But after a moment of hesitation, she answered anyway.
"Yeah. There's one guy who's pretty difficult."
Her voice lost its usual sharp edge.
Instead, there was a rare trace of concern.
"This official match has players ranging from beginners to near-professionals."
She turned her gaze to him.
"And one of them is especially strong."
"Yamato Kajin. Eight-dan."
"He's the strongest competitor today— and he's been training under 'Meijin.'"
Yukima Azuma's eyes widened slightly.
"Eight-dan?"
In the world of shogi, ranks were strict and structured.
Ignoring amateur levels, a player had to pass rigorous exams to even enter the professional circuit.
The Training Association had ranks from F1 to S.
Only from C1 and above could players attempt the Promotion Association Exam.
The Promotion Association was where professional players were truly forged.
Even the lowest rank in the Promotion Association was rank 6, already stronger than a C1 player.
From there, players climbed from rank 6 to 1, then to beginner levels 2, 3, and finally 4.
Sora Ginko herself was already at level 2.
And only those who reached level 4 were officially recognized as professional players— equivalent to a 4th-dan rank.
But Yamato Kajin?
He was at eight-dan.
That put him at the very peak of the shogi world.
And on top of that—
He was a direct disciple of Meijin.
Sora Ginko carefully observed Yukima Azuma's reaction.
But—
She couldn't read anything from his expression.
And that bothered her.
Her thoughts raced.
Then suddenly—
She reached out and grabbed the hem of his shirt.
Yukima Azuma blinked in surprise.
Before he could react—
She pulled him slightly downward, leaned in—
And wrapped her arms around his neck.
A rare embrace.
Her voice was quiet but firm.
"It's alright."
"You're the strongest shogi player I've ever met."
"If you were still active in the professional circuit, you would have surpassed eight-dan long ago."
"No matter who the opponent is— you would win."
"Stand proud. You are the strongest."
Her small hands tightened around him for a moment.
Yukima Azuma blinked.
He wasn't worried about the match at all.
As long as he wasn't facing Meijin, he was confident against anyone.
His earlier exclamation was merely admiration for the ranking system.
But—
If he told her that now, her heartfelt encouragement would become a joke.
So instead—
Yukima Azuma slowly returned the embrace.
Her small frame felt oddly delicate in his arms.
A faint smile played on his lips.
"Nah— with your encouragement, even Meijin, I'd win just to prove it to you."
At his words—
Sora Ginko froze.
And then,
Her face flushed red.
She immediately pushed him away, turned her back, and stormed ahead.
"G-Go! You'll be late if you don't!"
Her voice was unusually flustered.
From behind, Yukima Azuma caught a glimpse of her bright pink ears.
A chuckle slipped from his lips.
Even after all these years,
Some things never changed.