All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends

Noon.

After lunch.

Kiyotaki Keika returned to her room.

She opened the suitcase she had brought along and took out an old anime-themed notebook.

This was her childhood diary.

For the past two years, as she approached the red-line age limit for female shogi players,

In moments of anxiety, Kiyotaki Keika often took out her childhood diary.

She would open it to remind herself how she had started in the first place.

But every time, she could only flip through a few pages before she had to close it again.

When she was a child, Kiyotaki Keika was brimming with confidence in herself.

Back then, Yukima Azuma and Sora Ginko had yet to study under her father.

Every line written by little Kiyotaki Keika was filled with love for shogi and the belief that she would inherit her father's legacy.

But as she grew older and was battered by reality,

The once-little girl, now an adult, began to envy her younger self.

If this time, in the mvnavi tournament, she still couldn't become a professional female player…

It seemed like she would have to give up.

And now, she had already lost in the very first round of the qualifiers.

Kiyotaki Keika wasn't completely in despair, but it felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.

As she turned the pages,

An envelope unexpectedly fell out from between them.

Kiyotaki Keika was momentarily stunned.

She picked up the envelope.

Only when she opened it and saw the childish handwriting on the paper inside,

Did Kiyotaki Keika suddenly remember—she had written this letter when she was little.

Back then, there was a trend of writing letters to oneself ten years in the future.

It was just that Kiyotaki Keika had completely forgotten about it.

Now, more than ten years had passed.

Amid the childish handwriting on the paper, it was filled with her hopes for the future.

"Ten years later, have I achieved my dream and become a professional female shogi player?"

Kiyotaki Keika really wanted to tell her younger self—

She had no natural talent for shogi.

Every time she competed, she could feel the gap in talent between her and her opponents.

It was a stinging, murky feeling.

But thinking carefully, did she truly regret stepping onto this path?

In her mind, an image of a small girl appeared.

A girl with short, tea-blonde hair, holding a shogi piece in her hand, smiling radiantly like a blooming flower.

Kiyotaki Keika smiled.

No matter how she thought about it, there was no way she regretted it.

...

Afternoon.

The draw for the second round of the qualifiers.

Sora Ginko anxiously tugged at the hem of Yukima Azuma's shirt.

Her gaze was fixed on Kiyotaki Keika, who was stepping forward to draw her match-up.

"Did you not go talk to Keika-nee at noon?"

As the reigning Queen,

Sora Ginko didn't even need to participate in the qualifiers and advanced directly to the main tournament.

But that didn't mean that someone as talented as her couldn't understand Kiyotaki Keika's feelings.

On the contrary, Sora Ginko understood them very well.

Because she herself had a goal that was extremely difficult to pursue.

Even so, although she wanted to encourage her sister senpai,

Sora Ginko was clumsy and genuinely didn't know what to say.

However, she felt that Yukima Azuma was smooth-tongued—he should at least go and offer some words of encouragement.

Yukima Azuma gently patted Sora Ginko's small head.

( ´･･)ﾉ(._.`)

"Don't worry, Keika-nee isn't just a supporting character in someone else's story."

"She's the protagonist of her own tale—whether or not anyone helps her, she'll find success."

Hearing this, Sora Ginko could only nod lightly.

...

After the drawing ended, Yukima Azuma waved to Sora Ginko before heading toward the broadcast room.

The afternoon livestream had far more viewers compared to the morning session.

And without a doubt, Yukima Azuma played a major role in that.

Even those who didn't understand shogi,

They still enjoyed watching Bishounen chat.

Afternoon, the director was no longer making biased camera cuts.

They couldn't just keep milking Yukima Azuma for views.

Otherwise, when the qualifiers ended, there might be online speculation about Ryuuou rigging the results.

However, the screen still occasionally switched to the matches of Hinatsuru Ai and Kiyotaki Keika.

By the time all the afternoon matches had concluded,

the four rounds of the first day had come to an end.

The list of players advancing to the main tournament was also announced.

And finally, Yukima Azuma, today's commentator, could clock out.

He stealthily made his way to the winner's interview area, blending into the crowd of reporters.

"Hinatsuru Ai, how does it feel to become the youngest player in history to reach the main tournament?"

A reporter raised a camera and asked.

The small girl, hugging a bouquet half her size, answered timidly:

"Even though I'm still weak and have a lot to learn, I'll definitely keep winning!"

/ᐠ > ˕ <マ

"Who do you want to share the joy of victory with the most?"

"Shishou!"

ヾ(｡✪ω✪｡)ｼ

"From your perspective, what kind of person is Ryuuou—your master?"

"Very handsome, very strong, and very reliable!"

( ๑ ˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و ♡

Hinatsuru Ai had won all four of her matches, securing a spot in the main tournament.

It was nothing short of a breakthrough.

Next.

"Empress, Sainokami Ika, how do you feel about advancing to the main tournament?"

"Nothing at all... it's just... nothing."

Of course, Sainokami Ika had also won all four of her matches, but on stage, she seemed a little impatient.

If it were before, she would have surely said something like, "My opponents were too weak. If you're weak, then train harder."

( ︶︿︶)_╭∩╮

But whether it was because she had actually changed?

or because she spotted Yukima Azuma standing behind the group of reporters mid-interview?

( ≖‿ ≖ )

in the end, Sainokami Ika obediently gave a proper statement about qualifying.

Next.

"Kiyotaki Keika, it was a tough journey, but you've earned your spot in the main tournament. Congratulations!"

"Yes... it feels like a dream to still be here."

Kiyotaki Keika hugged her bouquet, her expression still carrying a hint of disbelief.

"Even though you lost the first match, you managed to bounce back. That's truly incredible."

One loss, three wins. In the end, she had made it out of the losers' bracket.

Moreover, with a high match point ranking, she smoothly secured her spot.

Though she had stumbled along the way, she had ultimately reached the main tournament.

...

After the interviews concluded,

Kiyotaki Keika exited the venue through a side door.

"Congratulations, Keika-nee!"

Yukima Azuma rushed forward and hugged her tightly.

(っᵔ◡ᵔ)っ(•́ᴗ•̀✿)

Kiyotaki Keika was still a little dazed, but when she was suddenly embraced by Yukima Azuma, she snapped back to reality.

Although she was thrilled inside,

being hugged in celebration by a boy much younger than her

made Kiyotaki Keika feel a little embarrassed.

She was a mature onee-san, after all!

( ,,⩌'︿'⩌,,)

Thankfully, Yukima Azuma didn't hold on for too long.

After congratulating her, he quickly let go.

"Azuma-kun, really now... you crushed my flowers."

Kiyotaki Keika muttered softly.

During the hug, the bouquet had been caught between them, causing quite a few petals to fall.

"If Keika-nee likes flowers, I'll buy a whole truckload next time and bury you in them."

Yukima Azuma chuckled.

Kiyotaki Keika tried to imagine the scene.

It sounded absurd, but somehow, it made her heart flutter a little.

(づ>/////<)づ♡

Because of that, she lightly shot a reproachful glance at the one responsible for this feeling—Yukima Azuma.

"This is just the first step. I still have to keep winning."

Hearing that, Yukima Azuma waved a hand dismissively.

"Keika-nee is super strong. There's no way it'll be a problem."

"I wish it were that simple." Kiyotaki Keika said, but her expression wasn't heavy at all.

(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

After securing her spot, she felt like she had shed her old self.

The burdens of the past seemed to melt away in an instant.

Though her words were modest,

deep down, Kiyotaki Keika truly believed she could keep winning.

"Let's go, Keika-nee. Time to celebrate!"

Yukima Azuma grabbed her hand and quickly led her toward Hinatsuru Ryokan.

The mature woman, being pulled along by the hand, suddenly felt her face heat up.

Why am I suddenly acting like one of those cute, shy dere-dere characters?!

( //>///<//)

...

"Congratulations, Keika-nee!"

"Congratulations, Keika-nee!"

As soon as they arrived,

Sora Ginko and Hinatsuru Ai—who had been waiting—immediately cheered in celebration.

"HM HM!" Kiyotaki Keika ran over and hugged them both tightly. "Thank you! Thank you, everyone!"

(❀ˆᴗˆ)(•́ᴗ•̀✿)

A tiny little girl and a teenage girl.

Both were completely enveloped in Kiyotaki Keika's large embrace.

This touching scene almost turned into a case of… suffocation by oppai.

( ͜ₒ ㅅ ͜ ₒ) ♡ ( . )( . )

Once they finally escaped, the two looked at Kiyotaki Keika with somewhat complicated expressions.

To celebrate, the group went out for yakiniku that evening.

After eating, under the night sky, they strolled around Ginza.

They ended up buying quite a bit of jewelry and clothing.

...

The next morning.

"Good morning, Ryuuou-san."

Early in the morning, Kugui Machi appeared at Yukima Azuma's door.

Seeing the famous female shogi player, Yukima Azuma was a bit confused.

Although the two of them were scheduled to commentate a match together soon,

there was no work today.

So why had this onee-san-senpai shown up so early?

But before he could even ask—

"Whoa! It's the real-life Ryuuou! Can I shake your hand?!"

"Mio, don't be rude…! Ah, good morning, Ryuuou-sama!"

Two little girls suddenly ran out from behind her.

One of them, full of excitement, stretched her hand out toward Yukima Azuma.

She was a lively-looking girl with short red hair, wearing a sporty outfit bursting with energy.

Yukima Azuma shook her hand.

"I'm never washing this hand again!"

(´⊙ω⊙`)ᵒᵐᵍᵎᵎᵎ

The red-haired girl shouted!

Hearing that, Yukima Azuma couldn't help but laugh helplessly.

"This one here is Mizukoshi Mio, and I'm Sadatou Ayano. And this is Charlotte Izoard. I'm terribly sorry for the disturbance, Ryuuou-sama."

Yukima Azuma still remembered this girl.

She had once played shogi against Hinatsuru Ai.

And afterward, it seemed like she had become Ai's friend.

After Sadatou Ayano finished introducing herself, Yukima Azuma finally noticed the other girl standing behind her.

A delicate girl with shimmering blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

Wearing a pure white Gothic Lolita dress.

She looked just like an exquisitely crafted Western doll.

The moment he saw her, Yukima Azuma's initial impression of her skyrocketed.

Because Charlotte looked exactly like Eriri when she was younger.

Speaking of which, little Eriri had been absolutely adorable…

When she entered middle school, Eriri became a bit more open, but at the same time, she grew increasingly tsundere, losing the shy and cute charm she had as a child.

As Yukima Azuma was lost in thought, a realization suddenly hit him.

Wait a second… the real issue here is… why the hell have I suddenly ended up surrounded by a whole pack of lolis?!

FBI: (≖ᴗ≖)

Azuma: (∗´ര ᎑ ര`∗)

FBI: (＾ ◡ ＾) っ ✂╰⋃╯

Azuma: Σ(°ロ°)!!

Curse Chef: (๑>؂•̀๑)