Original subtitles

SHOGI ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS

Are you authorized?

I'm a kishi.

- Sorry. - Apologies.

Well, a former kishi.

Long time no see, everyone.

Seigo Todou here.

I'm here today to speak with Shoichi Yuuki.

The new chairman of the Japan Shogi Association.

Is he here?

I assume you've all heard of Asuka Kunimi.

She's been winning matches against kishi,

and defeated Hayami joryu 3-dan, in the last tournament.

She only needs another win to qualify for the kishi admission test.

- Call security. - Okay.

I'm not here to punch Yuuki again.

Mr. Todou, this is not appropriate.

I just came to ask why Asuka Kunimi isn't allowed into tournaments.

So you know, huh?

Then tell me.

Hey! Anyone care to explain?

That's him.

Come with us.

Hands off! I won't do anything.

Calm down!

Get off me! I'm calm!

Being violent again?

Let Asuka Kunimi compete!

Please leave.

Are you all her puppets, or what?

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

Don't you have any pride as a shogi player?

I'm just playing the best move.

And I'm no longer a shogi player.

Take him out.

Yes, ma'am.

- Come on. - This way.

Don't think you can get away.

Asuka Kunimi hasn't resigned yet.

You haven't defeated her yet!

Get your hands off me!

Are you okay like that?

Sure. I could put them closer so they'd topple cleaner--

I'm not talking about the dominoes.

What?

You've been banned from tournaments, right?

Aren't you anxious?

Well yeah, but...

It's not like I can do anything to change the situation.

Yes, that's true.

Mr. Todou's helping me get permission to enter the tournaments, so...

Right.

KING

I will beat him.

Hey, let's go.

Aw, man.

To where? What about the association?

They're a bunch of idiots. Totally useless.

But that helped me figure it out.

Use your rook in a cross.

If the vertical is blocked, go horizontal.

Let's go play some shogi.

Hey, where are you going?

To play the next move.

That went quite smoothly.

Yes, very good.

Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you.

- Shall we have lunch? - Thank you.

Yes, let's go.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, hi. Got a game today?

Yes. I'm on lunch break.

Well, good luck.

Perfect timing.

You will be the director of the tournament operations.

APPOINTMENT

What?

I'd like you to support the association as a director from now on.

Are you serious, Mom?

Here, you will call me "Executive Director".

Well...

I'm counting on you, Director Yuuki.

TESSAI ANDO

It's been so long, Master Tessai.

I apologize for all the trouble back then.

What are you doing here? You left shogi.

This is Asuka Kunimi.

Shoichi Yuuki's daughter.

She's trying to become a kishi.

But the association is interfering, banning her from tournaments.

Master Tessai, could you please help--

Not my business.

Leave.

We've been long over.

Besides, I'm not the chairman now.

Master Tessai!

She's strong.

Not like other ordinary kishi.

She might even beat you.

What are you saying?

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

Asuka Kunimi has the potential.

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

Kaori Yuuki.

Oh, right. I remember now...

You were good at mind games.

Play a game with me.

Beautiful sound.

Kaori Yuuki also used to make that sound when she played.

That's a beautiful sound you made.

Staying back to practice, Kaori?

Yes.

Just don't push yourself too hard.

Master.

Yes?

Is it true that women can't become a kishi?

What?

Well no, that's not--

Is it true that women are weaker than men?

I...

I must become stronger, like my father.

I'll become strong and leave the Shoreikai.

And I'll become a kishi.

But...

If you focus only on which moves to make in the future,

you might have the rug pulled out from under you.

Have some.

I resign.

I resign.

Thank you.

I resign.

Great, you're crying now.

That's why women are...

Hi, Kaori. Tough day today, huh?

But with your excellence, you would dominate as a joryu kishi.

That'll be the best.

Spice up the shogi world.

Become a joryu.

See you.

- Hey, look. - Oh, what?

Whoa, hey.

- No way. - Seriously?

Come on...

You're kidding me.

I resign.

That's how much pressure Kaori Yuuki put on herself.

Yet, she still couldn't make it.

ROOK

You can tell how confident the move is

from the sound.

Want some?

No thanks.

- Hey! - I don't mind at all.

Sorry about her.

So...

Why do you want to become the first female kishi?

No woman has ever made it until now.

It's a thorny path.

And yet, you--

Are you already retired?

- What? - Hey!

That's right. I retired when I was 62.

Sixty-two years old.

But...

you retired because you couldn't win anymore.

Hey, idiot!

I'm so sorry.

Oh, I mean,

it's just the same, isn't it?

Your question earlier.

What?

Age? Gender?

None of that matters when you sit at the board, does it?

Yes.

It doesn't matter.

I didn't ask the question in the right way.

Why do you want to become a kishi?

To fight against this shitty world.

Great sound.

I resign.

Don't ever change.

Stay true to yourself.

TATSUYA YUUKI C-CLASS STANDINGS

Again...

I lost.

Mom told me...

to be the association's director.

Apparently...

the Yuuki family doesn't need a joryu kishi

or a C-Class player.

PRIVATE MATCH ROOM

SINGLE-MINDED DEDICATION

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL

I didn't realize. Please excuse me for interrupting you.

Your father...

took very good care of me.

I'm so honored you remember him.

Good luck.

I'm...

I'm quitting shogi.

I followed his words here.

I tried to be strong.

I solely focused on shogi...

leaving everything else behind.

What else now?

I have...

nothing else to leave behind.

What could I have done...

to be strong like you?

I'm sorry.

I'm just weak. That's all.

I don't know...

if you're really weak.

But,

I know that...

I am weak too.

I've been drawing strength from Master Yuuki's words.

That's why I'm in this room,

facing the board for hours.

In the eyes of people,

I was a villain.

A monster.

Heartless.

After I found myself at my lowest point...

I am finally...

getting close.

I'm finally about to grasp my own style in shogi.

It is in my reach now.

I don't want to lose it again.

I still have...

a long way to go.

You're allowed into tournaments now!

I knew Master Tessai could make it happen.

That's amazing!

List of participants.

- Seigo. Great job! - Right.

My plan worked.

TOFU NEWSPAPER CUP FUSO TOURNAMENT

WAITING ROOM

Why are you in the tournament?

I'm not your puppet.

I live my life on my own terms.

If you lose...

you know what happens.

I know.

Executive Yuuki.

- Chairman. Pleasure to see you. - Hi there.

Master Tessai told me about her.

Asuka Kunimi, amateur.

Sounds like she's in the spotlight.

Yes, she is.

If she wins, she can take the kishi admission test?

Yes.

It is time for the first round.

Asuka Kunimi, amateur versus Tatsuya Yuuki, 6-dan.

Please begin.

Let's have a good game.

Yes.

Doesn't look like he's going to make it easy.

Really?

Damn.

Hey, why is he so strong?

The opponents she's had so far knew nothing about her.

You can take measures if you know the opponent's habits and favorite moves.

That boy must've studied Asuka's style closely.

That's no good!

Kunimi amateur, ten minutes remaining.

That's a nasty setup.

He's staying out of her territory, while slowly dismantling her plans.

This is bad.

She's losing time.

Well, what are you going to do?

That guy. Is he doing that on purpose?

Harassing her nonstop.

What a jerk.

Kunimi amateur, five minutes remaining.

I got it.

Nice.

Great sound.

I resign.

After 145 moves, Asuka Kunimi amateur, wins.

Yes!

Good!

Quite the glutton she is.

Don't you think so?

Master.

I'm not your apprentice anymore,

yet you are still trying to teach me something.

Too bad.

I still won't be eating daifuku.

We're preparing for the next match.

Your style was unlike anyone I've ever played with.

It was...

interesting.

Still want to be a kishi?

You'll have to face men who are like monsters.

You won't make it.

Oh, I know.

A "wall that women can't overcome."

And...

Dad is at the top.

So what?

If it's too high to climb...

What, smash it?

No.

I'll use everyone as a stepping stone,

and rise above.

Thanks.

I'll be back.

Thank you so much. See you again.

See you.

You're Seigo Todou, right?

Yes?

Sorry to bother you.

My name is Shibata.

I write for the Weekly Bunka.

What?

So, could I ask some questions about Asuka Kunimi?

Do you recognize the person in this picture?

Is everything written in this article true?

EXPELLED KISHI ATTEMPTED MURDER?

PLANNED REVENGE ON SHOICHI YUUKI

SCOOP! SECRET CHILD

It's the biggest scandal ever.

Why did you leak it?

Because it's more fun that way.

It's blowing up.

If she wins three games, she'll be the very first female kishi.

Win all the games.

That's the fastest way to get to Shoichi Yuuki.

Stop it!

Apparently, people call me a terrorist now.

It sucks. It's your fault.

Kunimi amateur, lost two in a row.

Another loss, and she'll be disqualified.

I'm sorry.

Subtitle translation by: Kana S.