At the age of sixteen, Yaichi Kuzuryu has become the youngest person to ever claim the esteemed champion’s title of “Ryuo,” the strongest in the Shogi world. But just when he’s made it to the top, he falls into a devastating slump, losing eleven games in a row.

Burdened by expectations and shaken by defeat, Yaichi questions whether it’s time to abandon the “safe” playstyle that brought him this far—when nine-year-old Ai Hinatsuru walks through the door to his home?! She’s here to collect on a promise he barely remembers making, a promise to take her on as his apprentice, and she’s not leaving until he commits.

Training a gifted young prodigy is hard enough, but living under the same roof with her proves to be a career-defining challenge. Still, as Ai’s unyielding enthusiasm reignites his passion for the game, Yaichi begins to wonder if this unlikely partnership is exactly what he needs to shake off his losing streak—as long as his new apprentice doesn’t turn his life upside down first!

Shirow Shiratori

Books