All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends

Looking at the group of kids that had just appeared, Yukima Azuma turned a suspicious gaze toward the long-black-haired onee-san with highlights—Kugui Machi.

Being stared at by Yukima Azuma, Kugui Machi gave an awkward smile.

"Ryuuou-san..."

"Just call me Yukima, or you can go straight with Azuma."

"Umu, then Yukima-kun. Yukima-kun, you're heading to Osaka today, right?"

"Yeah, I am."

Just like the official matches in the Ryuuou Tournament,

the Mynavi Women's Tournament was also an official event, with each round held in a different venue.

The next match was scheduled to take place in Osaka.

Yukima Azuma planned to take the girls there a few days in advance to help them adjust to the environment.

And while they were at it, they could have some fun, relax, and clear their minds before the match.

Since the tournament schedule was public, it wasn't surprising that Kugui Machi knew about it.

But still, bringing a whole group of elementary school girls here was…

"Well… the thing is, I have to go to Osaka for the match commentary as well."

"But the parents of these three girls asked me to look after them and teach them some shogi while I'm at it."

"Would it be alright if we traveled together, Yukima-kun?"

Kugui Machi smiled wryly.

Hearing that, Yukima Azuma immediately understood.

So this highlighted onee-san had been given the job of babysitting.

Thinking about it, it made sense—Kugui Machi was Sadatou Ayano's senpai.

Taking care of three kids alone would definitely be a challenge.

And since Yukima Azuma's group was already planning to go to Osaka,

it made sense for Kugui Machi to come over and ask to tag along.

In other words, she was basically asking Yukima Azuma to help watch over the kids.

After thinking it over for a moment, Yukima Azuma saw no real issue with it and nodded in agreement.

These three girls were already at the age where they could take care of themselves.

There wasn't much need to worry about supervising them too much.

Besides, they didn't seem like the type to cause trouble.

Most importantly, traveling together like this could help Hinatsuru Ai make a few new friends.

Even though Hinatsuru Ai was more mature than most kids her age,

she was still just a little girl.

At school, she often had to take time off, so she probably didn't have many close friends.

That's just how school life worked—miss a single day, and you'd already fall behind on all the latest stories with friends.

If you were absent too often, even once-close friends could start drifting apart.

Being friendless would be lonely.

Since she had to miss school anyway to pursue shogi,

she might as well make friends through shogi.

These three girls were around the same age as Hinatsuru Ai.

Just then, the door to the neighboring room suddenly swung open.

Hinatsuru Ai stepped outside.

At first, she still had her usual energetic look.

But the moment she glanced to the side—

and saw three more little girls standing next to her Shishou—

her gaze instantly turned dangerous.

"Shishou, why are there so many little girls around you?"

( ๑_๑ ) ( ✇_✇ ) ( ⚛_⚛ ) ( ☣_☣ ) ( ☢_☢ )

Her usual icy-blue eyes were now dangerously close to activating the Rinnegan.

Hinatsuru Ai was the jealous type.

But Yukima Azuma didn't mind in the slightest—he simply waved her over.

As soon as Hinatsuru Ai came closer—

Yukima Azuma introduced her to the three girls one by one.

At the same time, he explained that for the upcoming trip to Osaka, they would all be traveling together.

Hinatsuru Ai already knew Sadatou Ayano.

Plus, they were all part of the same research club.

And they all had shogi in common.

It didn't take long before they started chatting excitedly.

Watching the little girls laugh and play together, Yukima Azuma smiled softly.

This was good.

His disciple wouldn't have to be lonely.

...

"How are we getting to Osaka? By train?"

Kugui Machi walked up beside Yukima Azuma and asked softly.

Yukima Azuma shook his head. "We'll take a car. It's more convenient."

Hearing that, Kugui Machi let out a small oh.

After all, she was a well-bred young lady from Tokyo.

And she was part of the small inner circle of the shogi world.

She had some idea about Hinatsuru Ai's situation.

The cherished daughter of the Hinatsuru family.

Having a private car for travel wasn't out of the ordinary.

But more than the private car, Kugui Machi was curious about something else.

"Yukima-kun, are you really a student at Toyogasaki?"

"Umu, I'm a first-year at Toyogasaki. Why?"

"Nothing, I was just a little surprised. Toyogasaki's entrance scores are among the highest in the country."

"I have a bit of a knack for memory, so memorizing things isn't too hard. It's kind of like shogi."

Yukima Azuma replied casually.

But Kugui Machi couldn't help but be tongue-tied.

This is what he called "a bit of a knack"?

Just in shogi alone, Yukima Azuma had already reached near the peak.

Putting aside his age, just the fact that he held the Ryuuou title—

a title that countless players in the shogi world could only dream of—

Even if he retired right this moment,

his name would still be engraved in the history of shogi.

"Kind of like shogi," huh… Then wouldn't that mean he was also a once-in-a-generation genius in academics?

Who knows, after graduating high school, he might even get a direct offer from Tokyo University.

Even without any backing, he could freely choose his own path forward.

And someone who was capable of taking Hinatsuru Ai as a disciple—

how could he really have no backing at all?

Kugui Machi pondered. Maybe ten years from now—

If not for this encounter today, she might not even have the qualifications to talk to this guy.

"What are you thinking about?" Yukima Azuma noticed her expression was a little strange and asked curiously.

Kugui Machi chuckled and shook her head. "Just that you're really amazing."

Hearing that, Yukima Azuma snapped his fingers.

"Right? I think I'm amazing too."

( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ

That one line shattered the sense of distance Kugui Machi had just started to feel—

in an instant.

Who the heck praised themselves like that?

Even if it was true, it was still weird, right?

She couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly.

Just then, the three from the other room—Sora Ginko and the others—

also stepped out after hearing the noise outside.

When they saw a small group of little girls, they all froze for a moment.

Yukima Azuma quickly explained the situation.

Sora Ginko didn't have any particular reaction.

She had interacted with Kugui Machi before.

After all, in the shogi world, there were only so many female players at the very top.

As for the little girls—

Sora Ginko simply acted as if they didn't exist.

But the little girls were staring intently at Sora Ginko.

"Excuse me, are you Sora-sama!?"

"Wow! It's really Snow White!"

"Please shake my hand!"

"Me too! I want to shake hands too!"

Surrounded by the excited little girls, Sora Ginko was momentarily flustered.

Yukima Azuma, watching from the side, chuckled softly.

Senpai being all flustered… O'kawaii koto.

(≖⩊≖)

Meanwhile, Kiyotaki Keika watched the scene in deep thought.

Most of her peers had already gotten married by now.

Some even had kids in their arms.

Every now and then, while scrolling through Twitter, she'd see her middle school or high school classmates posting pictures of their children.

And here she was, still dedicating herself to the life of a female shogi player.

Forget having kids—marriage—

She hadn't even dated before.

Ah… this… suddenly makes me feel old.

As if the pain of talent wasn't enough, now she had another jab to the heart!

૮(˶╥︿╥)ა

"Keika-nee, are you feeling unwell?"

"Azuma-kun, you wouldn't understand."

Yukima Azuma blinked in confusion.

∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ?

What do you mean, I wouldn't understand?

...

After having breakfast at Hinatsuru Ryokan—

the group got into the Hinatsuru family's car and set off for Osaka.

Upon arrival—

they checked their luggage into the hotel and then went out together to visit the famous attractions nearby.

Osaka was a city with a strong shogi atmosphere.

There were historical landmarks tied to shogi, ancient shogi halls where legendary matches had been played.

Modern dojos were also far more numerous than in other cities.

Yukima Azuma led a group of young girls and teenagers, enjoying the day to the fullest.

It wasn't until sunset—

that they finally returned to the hotel.

As soon as he stepped into his room, before he even had the chance to take off his coat—

a knock sounded at his door.

He opened it.

The person standing there was his Tsundere-senpai.

"Ginko-senpai, is something wrong?" Yukima Azuma blinked.

For Sora Ginko to come find him out of the blue, there had to be a reason.

Besides, she had barely spoken all day.

Yukima Azuma had assumed she was just uncomfortable around strangers.

But now, it seemed that wasn't the case.

"Play a match." Sora Ginko said, pulling out a seven-inch shogi board from behind her.

From childhood to now, the number of times Yukima Azuma and Sora Ginko had played against each other was too many to count.

Over the years, the exact number had become impossible to verify.

It could only be said that, out of the first seven levels of Yukima Azuma's shogi skills—

six and a half of them were built up thanks to Sora Ginko.

However, ever since Yukima Azuma returned to competitive play—

Sora Ginko had played against him far less frequently.

It wasn't that Yukima Azuma didn't want to; it was that Sora Ginko didn't want to.

Yukima Azuma suspected that his small senpai had already realized the gap in their skills.

Until she could close that gap, she probably didn't want to face him again.

But today, something was different.

"Senpai, are you worried about this tournament?"

Of course, Yukima Azuma knew why she was here.

His senpai was full of pride.

As the reigning Queen, her expectation for the upcoming tournament was undoubtedly to take the championship.

Saying she felt no pressure would be a lie.

Sora Ginko was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

She had nothing to hide in front of Yukima Azuma.

She didn't want to lose the Queen title.

If she lost in a women's tournament, it would only prove that the gap between her and him was growing wider.

Yukima Azuma said nothing more.

He reached out and pulled Sora Ginko straight into his room.

And casually shut the door behind her.

--------------------------------------------

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