“My, my. You have such steady hands, Ginko.”
“It’s part of my job. Shogi players’ fingertips are very sensitive, so dexterity is second nature.”
Her compliment lifting my spirits, I hum a tune and cut some more vegetables.
“If I may ask …… Does Yaichi ever say anything about me?”
“Nope.”
“……”
“He talks a lot about that first apprentice of his, Ai. Usually, he’s asking me for advice on how to raise her. But I’ve hardly ever heard him say a word about you, Ginko. That’s why I’m so happy to get to meet you in person …… Now I understand exactly why he doesn’t say anything. He-he-he.”

What could a person who thinks one loss is worth dying over ever hope to accomplish?
“I’ve raised three boys, so do you think I could call myself a professional?”
“Yes. I think you are more than qualified.”
“Then let me speak as a professional.”
She leans down next to my ear and whispers as if about to let me in on a very important secret.
“The thing about boys is that they try to hide the girl they like!”