Original subtitles

Wow! Such a lovely place!

Why are you tagging along?

I'm paying for the trip.

Be grateful that I've even let you carry my luggage.

Hey, did you just click your tongue? You did, didn't you?

Nope, I didn't.

You did.

SOKEI CUP ROOKIE LEAGUE 2025

Let's go.

Hey, wait.

Everyone looks so young.

The Rookie League is a gateway for young talents,

only open for new kishi, joryu kishi, and amateur representatives.

But age doesn't matter in shogi.

They're all monsters-to-be.

Did you meet Mr. Tatsuya through shogi?

Yes, it's a shogi marriage.

Oh, wow.

How did Mr. Tatsuya propose to you?

Oh, I'm too shy.

It's a secret.

By the way, my new photobook will be released soon.

Please check it out!

Will you keep playing as a joryu even after marriage?

What?

Some fans are hoping you'll become the first female kishi.

Though realistically, that would be very unlikely.

The shogi world is full of skilled male players.

What do you think?

Well...

Me, becoming a kishi?

There's no way!

Please show us your ring.

She's competing too...

Could you look this way?

Thank you so much.

SOKEI CUP ROOKIE LEAGUE DAY ONE

SAYURI KIMURA VS. ASUKA KUNIMI

I resign.

She did it!

YUNA HAYAMI VS. CHIHIRO TAKAHAMA

I resign.

Yuna Hayami is retiring?

Yeah. She's going to quit once the marriage is sealed.

I'd say she was just a short-term idol player after all...

if she wasn't the real deal.

Her strength is real.

She's strong.

Yeah. Despite her looks, her style is very by the book.

What do you mean?

It shows that she's relentlessly dedicated to shogi.

Maybe Asuka didn't want us around.

- You think? - Yeah.

This time, she's even more fired up than usual.

Didn't you see today?

See what?

Her outfit!

What about her outfit?

She looked different!

Really?

Men are truly hopeless.

She saved up the prize money and her pay from my place

to buy new clothes.

Usually, she just borrows mine.

Well...

Sometimes, I wonder...

if this is the right path for her.

I mean, with the whole "revenge" thing.

Girls at her age usually want to enjoy a more glamorous life, right?

Like that Yuna Hayami.

Asuka's outfit today was...

so cute.

Is that my game record?

Oh. Yes.

Whoa, scary. You're studying me.

Wait, does that mean...

you're planning to clear the league?

Yes, and I will beat you in the final--

I didn't ask about that.

Sorry.

But you know, even if you beat me...

Hypothetically, I mean.

What's next?

I'll become a kishi...

and beat Shoichi Yuuki.

I see.

Yes.

So...

What?

Are you really...

retiring?

What's with you?

But you're so strong.

Strong?

Me?

Do you...

really believe that?

Sorry, forget it.

Good night.

Good night.

SOKEI CUP ROOKIE LEAGUE DAY TWO

How did I know that he was the one? That's a hard question.

Why don't you ask me about tomorrow's finals instead?

It's Asuka Kunimi!

- Ms. Kunimi! - What?

- Congratulations on being a finalist! - Oh.

Thank you.

As of today, you have eight wins in the official matches.

Yes.

Are you aiming for the kishi admission test?

- Oh, yes. - You could be the very first female kishi!

What about it?

How does it feel to be making history?

Well...

- Come with me. - What?

- Get in! - What? Oh, okay.

Just a few words please!

- Please start driving. - Sure.

Ms. Kunimi!

A word please!

- One comment! - Please!

Give us a minute!

Thanks.

Those flies are so annoying.

So, where are we going?

Hang out with me for a bit.

What?

Thank you for waiting.

Here's your drink.

Sherry. It's their specialty.

But I don't drink.

It's nothing. Have a glass with me.

Since tomorrow will be my last game.

Cheers.

Cheers.

So...

Are you serious about becoming a kishi?

I am.

Do you understand how hard it is?

- Yes. - No.

No, you don't.

Do you think I'm happy, playing as a joryu kishi?

I failed.

I started training in the Shoreikai ever since I was a child.

I dreamed of becoming a kishi.

But I couldn't beat those monsters.

I'm a woman after all.

There's a wall I can't overcome.

What a waste.

What?

You're really strong.

Hey. Stop talking like you know everything.

You don't understand the reality yet.

Reality?

Women can only go so far.

You'll see it one day.

I doubt it.

What?

Maybe that day...

will never come.

Well...

I'm really just speaking my mind.

Are you mocking me?

I'm not.

I knew it. You're crazy in the head.

What do you mean?

It's not normal to try to kill someone.

I've given up on that.

Someone told me that

you can't kill a kishi with a knife.

You can only kill them with shogi.

What?

So, you're planning to become a kishi to beat Shoichi Yuuki?

Yes.

I'll kill him with shogi.

You're seriously deranged.

How could you win against Shoichi Yuuki?

He's at the very top of the shogi world.

Why not?

We never know if we will win or lose.

This is going nowhere.

You just don't get it.

But I've decided.

I'll destroy you tomorrow.

I look forward to it.

Welcome back. You stayed out late.

He was up waiting.

Was he upset?

He wanted you to rest.

Does the reception seating chart look okay to you?

Are you listening, Yuna?

What if I said I don't want to retire?

What?

Just kidding. Let's sort out the seating chart.

Ms. Kunimi!

Congratulations on being a finalist!

What?

ASUKA KUNIMI DETERMINED TO BECOME THE FIRST FEMALE KISHI

Thank you.

As of today, you have eight wins in the official matches.

Yes.

Are you aiming for the kishi admission test?

Oh, yes.

You could be the very first female kishi!

What about it?

How does it feel to be making history?

DAY THREE FINALS

As it is the scheduled time, please begin the game.

- Let's have a good match. - Yes.

ROOK

Hey. What's going on?

Yuna Hayami is leading at this point.

What?

She's changed.

Asuka Kunimi, one minute remaining.

Good.

She has stopped playing by the book.

Is that bad?

No.

This is getting interesting!

A straight-up fist fight. It's her thing.

YUNA HAYAMI VS. ASUKA KUNIMI

Tatsuya, have you seen your dad?

No, I haven't.

Why?

He missed the board meeting today.

Hey, is that the chairman?

- Oh, wow. - You're right, it is.

- Why is he here? - Did you know?

No, I didn't.

No one told me anything.

- What's the matter? - Why did he come?

He never shows up at games like this...

I found where Dad is.

What? Where?

Look...

SHOICHI YUUKI SHOWED UP. MR. YUUKI IS AT THE ROOKIE CUP.

Looks like Asuka's having fun.

ROOK

I resign.

Oh! Uh, thank you very much.

That was amazing!

You're leaving without meeting her?

Hey, wait!

I remember you. Todou.

Hey! Stop it!

Thanks for remembering me.

I'm honored.

I see you still care about the daughter you threw out.

Yuuki Ho-oh?

Todou, did you train Asuka?

Yes.

That somehow happened.

I see.

That's good.

What?

What's good?

You're the one who said shogi isn't for me!

Are you pitying us losers for teaming up?

Hey, it's Chairman Yuuki!

- This way! - Over there!

- Chairman! - Hey.

We're not done yet!

That was a good game.

Hey Yuuki. Be prepared.

- The times are changing. - Sir, a few words on the finals please.

- What brought you here today? - Sir!

Welcome home.

Today,

I, Tatsuya Yuuki, and Yuna Hayami,

are here to share the news of our engagement.

We are very pleased to be able to share the news with you in our own words today.

Once we are officially married,

I will be retiring from being a joryu kishi.

From now on, I will dedicate myself to supporting my family.

Maybe she was looking for a reason to quit.

Though I'm stepping back, I'll be supporting Tatsuya as his partner.

In that way, I hope to give back to the shogi world.

What's up? Feeling lonely?

No, it's not like that.

The more you win, the more people you'll eliminate.

That's what shogi is.

Hello?

What? Are you kidding? I need an explanation--

They hung up, damn it!

What's the matter?

We're banned.

You've been rejected from every match we entered you into.

This is the fifth one.

Why?

Someone's pressuring them.

Someone's telling them to keep you out of the game.

Pressure...

Thank you so much.

Please look straight ahead.

This way please.

Why're you interfering when the very first female kishi is emerging?

I'm just playing the best move.

The disciple you once failed to make a kishi is interfering.

Kaori Yuuki.

Wouldn't you like to see the very first female kishi?

Why do you want to become a kishi?

To fight against this shitty world.

Age? Gender?

None of that matters, does it?

I'll use everyone as a stepping stone and rise above.

Subtitle translation by: Kana S.