Rewrite Our Love? Too Late

After that extravagant yakiniku feast…

MEM slumped in her chair like a grilled sardine, her spirit completely smoked.

Her tiny hands dangled from the edge of the seat, and she slowly tilted her head back to gaze at the restaurant ceiling, face full of lifeless resignation.

( '︶︿︶') . ▄█▀█●

She looked as though her very soul had left her body—and perhaps, in a way, it had.

Yukima Azuma watched her with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

If he wanted to use "hidden rules" on her right now…

Well, she probably wouldn't resist anything. He could've had her washing his socks or signing over her channel.

But he just poured her another cup of barley tea.

After dinner, the three parted ways outside the restaurant, the summer night warm with lingering embers of laughter.

Yukima Azuma, however, didn't waste a second.

Back home, he immediately sent word to Laplace Corporation, instructing them to begin preparing for MEM's idol debut.

As for the drama Hikaru no Shogi—he needed to first check his availability.

Between filming, the Ryuuou Tournament, and the rapidly approaching new school term, time had become a precious commodity.

True, he could technically apply for a leave of absence…

But as soon as he returned to his apartment, he noticed something surprising.

Standing outside his door—

Were President Tsukimitsu and his assistant.

—

"President Tsukimitsu? What are you doing here?" Yukima asked, puzzled. "Shouldn't the next Ryuuou match be held at the association building?"

The elderly man smiled gently. "I have a favor to ask. Waiting passively would be disrespectful."

This was clearly not an idle visit.

Yukima stepped forward, unlocked the door, and invited them in.

After some tea was poured, the three sat around his minimalist living room.

Yukima wasted no time.

"You're here because of the TV drama, right?"

President Tsukimitsu nodded, then stood and performed a deep formal bow.

"That's right. I've come to humbly ask you to act in it."

Yukima blinked, momentarily stunned by the formality.

He quickly stood to help the man up. "No need for that, President. Since you came personally, how could I refuse?"

Besides, it was clear why the president cared this much.

He wasn't doing this for money or glory—he was doing it for the future of shogi.

And Yukima respected that.

"If it's for the shogi world," Yukima added softly, "then I understand."

President Tsukimitsu's blind eyes seemed to shine despite their clouded surface.

"As expected of Azuma-kun… your heart remains as vast as ever."

The old man's tone turned heavy.

"Lately, fewer young people are registering at regional shogi associations. Interest is waning. The rules aren't hard, but the cultural gap is real."

"If we don't reach out, if we don't let shogi evolve with the times… our tradition will wither."

"That's why I'm asking you—no, entrusting you—to serve as the bridge. As the symbol. The light."

He bowed again.

This time, Yukima didn't stop him.

He accepted the weight.

President Tsukimitsu's reasoning was simple.

Yukima Azuma wasn't just a prodigy. He was charismatic. Striking. Already a buzzword on the internet.

If Yukima took part in this drama, if he shone even a little, the ripple effect could revitalize an entire generation's interest in shogi.

And if he won the Ryuuou title?

Then the entire industry would have a rising star.

After more discussion and tea, Yukima walked the two visitors out.

His decision to join the drama had solidified.

As for scheduling?

Well, they'd have to work around him.

—Two Days Later: The First Round of the Ryuuou Tournament QualifiersThirty-two contenders.

Only sixteen would advance.

At the Kanto Shogi Association, Yukima Azuma faced off against a familiar name—Yamato Kajin, a seasoned 8-dan veteran.

For the audience, it was déjà vu.

For Yamato… it was déjà pain.

Yukima beat him in four consecutive games.

Each one with a different opening. A different tempo. A different style.

And each one an overwhelming defeat.

By the fourth game, Yamato Kajin sat across from Yukima in silence.

His expression wasn't frustration.

It was confusion. No—reverence.

Because the boy sitting across from him—this calm, clean-cut teenager with eyes like still water—

Didn't feel like the Yukima Azuma he had played before.

He felt like—

A Meijin.

The dominance. The elegance. The sensation of having every strategy dismantled before it could even bloom.

It was too familiar.

Identical to what he'd experienced decades ago against legends.

And now he was experiencing it… from a high school student.

As Yamato shook hands and left, there was only one thought pounding in his head:

This year's Ryuuou champion… might already be decided.

Meanwhile, a different story was brewing in the same tournament.

A story no one saw coming.

Among the 32 contestants, the lowest-ranked player was Kawai Kenichi, a 1-dan rookie.

He drew one of the worst possible matchups: a hardened 8-dan veteran.

Everyone expected a swift exit.

And indeed, Kawai lost the first three games in their best-of-seven match.

People were already writing articles titled: "Well, That Was Expected."

But then—

Kawai Kenichi excused himself for a short bathroom break.

When he returned, it was as if someone had activated a cheat code.

His moves became precise. Aggressive. Inspired.

He clawed his way back from 0-3 to win 4-3.

Defeating an 8-dan with a reverse sweep.

Shogi fans across the net exploded with praise.

"The Potential Man" was born.

—Two Days Later: Round of 16The top sixteen players faced off to decide the quarterfinalists.

Yukima Azuma's opponent this time was a 6-dan player.

The match was… unremarkable.

Another clean sweep.

As though Yukima were brushing dust off his shoulders.

But all eyes were again on Kawai Kenichi.

This time, his opponent was one of the only two 9-dan masters still in the tournament.

An elite, multiple-title holder.

Even Kawai's fans were realistic:

"That's it. The dream ends here."

But Kawai did it again.

4-1.

A dominant win.

The 9-dan player walked away stunned.

And Kawai was instantly promoted to 2-dan.

The miracle boy's legend grew.

Back in the press room, Yukima Azuma was just wrapping up his post-match interviews.

But then a question caught him off-guard.

"Yukima 7-dan, the young player Kawai 2-dan has become a breakout star. In a recent interview, he credited you as his inspiration. Would you like to comment?"

Yukima blinked.

He paused, then tapped a finger on his knee, trying to remember.

Kawai… Kawai… ah! That guy.

A vague memory surfaced.

A soft-spoken 1-dan during the preliminaries.

Yukima had exchanged a few polite words. Said something generic like "You've got talent, keep going."

That was it.

And yet—

Somehow those words had planted a seed that bloomed into fire.

Yukima scratched his head, chuckling lightly.

"Umu. I met Kawai 2-dan during the prelims. I thought his shogi had promise."

"His style is unusual, and I believed he had real potential."

"I suppose those words must have reached him… and became his motivation. Probably."

He smiled faintly.

Not every victory required a spotlight.

Sometimes, all it took was a spark.